First time renting - Disabled and moving away from home

RTC

Hello guys and girls,

I've made the decision at the age of twenty-six to finally move away from home but this comes with its difficulties as I am unable to work due to disability (I suffer from Aspergers Syndrome amongst other things) and claim benefits. I'm on the housing list but properties in the location that I would like to live come up very rarely that aren't for people 55+.

I've read a lot on the internet and tried to consume as much information as possible but there isn't a lot from people who are in a similar or same situation to me so I was interested if anybody on here could add.

I'm going to view a property next week from a private landlord who happens to be a friend of a friend and I'm taking my mother with me but I'm not really sure what sort of questions I should be asking or things I should be looking out for. This person has recently acquired the business below so is renting out the above flat. I will be eligible for housing benefit of some kind due to my benefits.

Any hints/tips/recommendations would be welcome

IAmWales

Will the housing benefit cover the rent, will you need to pay anything towards council tax? You need to check these?

What deposit and advance rent will you need to pay? Does the flat have gas or just electric, is there double glazing?

Your mum should have a good idea of what you need to know. Are you ok with cooking for yourself and washing, cleaning etc?

RTC

IAmWales wrote: »

Will the housing benefit cover the rent, will you need to pay anything towards council tax? You need to check these?

What deposit and advance rent will you need to pay? Does the flat have gas or just electric, is there double glazing?

Your mum should have a good idea of what you need to know. Are you ok with cooking for yourself and washing, cleaning etc?

Thanks for your reply.

From what I can see, the housing benefit will cover the majority of the rent but I'm not sure council tax wise and will have to ask on the day of viewing the propety.

I should be okay with the chores around the place as well as cooking, I tend to have quite a fair bit of independence at home but with having younger siblings the noise here for me is a bit much so the switch in homes is more so I can cope and have a better quality of life.

ikcdab

Just be careful about the housing benefit. If you're aged under 35 then the LHA seems like it's capped to a rate lower than the normal 1 bedroom rate.
I am also in the same situation as you. I receive PIP and ESA. When i move out I think I need to switch to universal credit and all I will get is £62 per week extra for housing. Plus a rebate on council tax.
Would be grateful to get your feedback.

RTC

"If you are a disabled person you won't be restricted to the shared accommodation rate if you receive regular overnight care or get any of the following benefits:

daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
middle or high rate care compnent of disability living allowance (DLA)
armed forces independence payment"

So I don't think that counts for me or you given we both get PIP.

elsien

I'd second checking out the HB rate - it is likely to be the shared house rate due to your age.
Have you read up about the different types of tenancy? Will they be looking for reference fees etc? Do they accept housing benefit tenants?
If it's a flat above a business, what sort of business is it? 9/5 or late at night? Noise or smells that you may find hard to deal with?
Furnished or unfurnished?
Your choices of accommodation may be limited, so have a think about what you can compromise on and what is an absolute deal breaker for you.

RTC

elsien wrote: »

I'd second checking out the HB rate - it is likely to be the shared house rate due to your age.
Have you read up about the different types of tenancy? Will they be looking for reference fees etc? Do they accept housing benefit tenants?
If it's a flat above a business, what sort of business is it? 9/5 or late at night? Noise or smells that you may find hard to deal with?
Furnished or unfurnished?
Your choices of accommodation may be limited, so have a think about what you can compromise on and what is an absolute deal breaker for you.

I'm not really sure what they are looking for, it's simply a friend of a friend who seems to have just taken on the business and said I could go and have a look when she got the keys if I wanted.

I've made the person who's renting out the flat fully aware I'm on disability benefits and they didn't seem to care either way as long as it means they get paid rent.

The business itself is a small hair salon and I believe it's unfurnished. This flat would be a compromise in itself as it's an odd lay out with the kitchen and lounge on the bottom floor but to get to the upstairs you have to go through the back room of the salon.

Mojisola

RTC wrote: »

The business itself is a small hair salon and I believe it's unfurnished.

Are you okay with the chemicals that will be used in the salon?

My friend rented a flat above a hairdressers and had to move fairly quickly because of the constant smells of the chemicals used.

enthusiasticsaver

The main thing to be aware of is area. Is it likely to be noisy or busy especially if above a business. If you suffer with Aspbergers then this may affect you.

Deposit, the type of tenancy and any restrictions should be checked. You may not be able to keep pets or have a satellite dish erected.

Is the friend leasing the premises or have they bought it? Will you be given a lease for a fixed term or is this a casual arrangement?

RTC

Mojisola wrote: »

Are you okay with the chemicals that will be used in the salon?

My friend rented a flat above a hairdressers and had to move fairly quickly because of the constant smells of the chemicals used.

I'm not really sure, strong smells at home don't tend to bother me at home unless it's gas but I guess it's hard to know for sure.

RTC

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

The main thing to be aware of is area. Is it likely to be noisy or busy especially if above a business. If you suffer with Aspbergers then this may affect you.

Deposit, the type of tenancy and any restrictions should be checked. You may not be able to keep pets or have a satellite dish erected.

Is the friend leasing the premises or have they bought it? Will you be given a lease for a fixed term or is this a casual arrangement?

I know the area quite well and it's a small town that only tends to get really busy on bank holidays as it's a bit of a seaside resort but without the sea.

Its a friend of a friend who I've not spoke to in person or online so I'm not sure but my friend said this woman has taken the salon on so I think she's leasing the premises.