Renting a room to someone on housing benefit?

clockworkpurple

Hi all,

I'm currently looking for a new lodger (on the Rent a Room scheme) and have been asked by a potential if I accept housing benefit. This has never come up before, so I have no idea how it works. Can anyone advise me please? Specifically:

1. Will the HB likely be enough to cover his rent?
2. Will there likely be a delay in his receipt of it (I'm assuming he's already in receipt for wherever he is living)?
3. Is the HB paid directly to me?
4. Does it affect anything such as my home insurance/mortgage etc? I'm not in receipt of any benefits myself.

If there's any other pertinent information (or personal recommendations to go for it/avoid!) please let me know.

Many thanks for your help

[Deleted User]

1. You can look up the local housing allowance rate here:
https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

It's the shared accomodation rate.

Guest101

clockworkpurple wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm currently looking for a new lodger (on the Rent a Room scheme) and have been asked by a potential if I accept housing benefit. This has never come up before, so I have no idea how it works. Can anyone advise me please? Specifically:

1. Will the HB likely be enough to cover his rent? - Check your local rates. Probably yes, as HB is capped at single room rate for single people under 35
2. Will there likely be a delay in his receipt of it (I'm assuming he's already in receipt for wherever he is living)? - possibly, but he may be working too. or have some savings.
3. Is the HB paid directly to me? - no, as it's not yours.
4. Does it affect anything such as my home insurance/mortgage etc? I'm not in receipt of any benefits myself. - how do I know, check your policies.

If there's any other pertinent information (or personal recommendations to go for it/avoid!) please let me know.

Many thanks for your help

It's pretty normal as single pople under 35 can only get single room rate, and therefore basically are expected to rent a room.