New landlord - 25% rent increase!

msrt5mp2

diggingdude wrote: »

No need to answer this publically but if you were section 3 detained and still requiring help/assistance due to your mental health then the local authority should be providing 117 aftercare

No it was section 2, never in any danger of getting a section 3 as my manic/psychotic break was quickly combated by heavy sedatives and I stabilised (relatively speaking) quickly (although they kept me on the heavy sedatives for far to long and I was basically a vegetable for 18 months!). Even the section 2 was lifted after 12 days though it was advised I should stay for at least 1 month for monitoring and full evaluation but I was allowed out for the afternoons with a family member and ended up being in for 6 weeks longer due to a combination of the Consultant being away and me not having anywhere to go.

PersianCatLady

msrt5mp2 wrote: »

Thanks, I will certainly enquire and try to challenge this. However, I have just been looking into it further and as a single person aged 30 it looks like I get the rate for shared accommodation rather than one bedroom because the criteria for single people under 35 is that they only need a bedroom in shared accommodation. Again, as with a 1 bedroom property I wouldn't necessarily mind shared accommodation given I have done so prior to living here with parents, then prior to my MH issues becoming severe for 7 years with friends while at University / working locally and in China but in this region they are the same price or more expensive than these 2 bedroom properties so wouldn't make any difference cost-wise. Perhaps it can be challenged on that basis but the rule seems generic and would not take into account these local circumstances, perhaps the council would - I will have to enquire!

"You are usually in shared accommodation if you have sole use of one bedroom and share one or more of a kitchen, bathroom, toilet, living room or dining room.

If you are eligible for Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit, your entitlement will be based on you needing one bedroom in shared accommodation unless you:

Are over 35 and living in self-contained accommodation with at least one bedroom;
Are a couple and living in self-contained accommodation with at least one bedroom;
Qualify for a severe disability premium;
Are a care leaver aged over 18 and under 22;
Are aged 25 or over and have been in a hostel for the homeless for three months and received support to resettle in the community;
Are a recent offender deemed to be a risk to the public"

Seeing as you are under 35 and single, you are being paid the correct amount of LHA.

I think that in order for LHA to cover your rent you need to move to a HMO / shared house.

Even moving to a one bedroom flat would (hopefully) save you money.

msrt5mp2

PersianCatLady wrote: »

Seeing as you are under 35 and single, you are being paid the correct amount of LHA.

I think that in order for LHA to cover your rent you need to move to a HMO / shared house.

Even moving to a one bedroom flat would (hopefully) save you money.

Yeah I gathered that would be the case from what I read with regards to the award.

I would prefer a one bedroom flat but as I said to another respondent the thing about my area and the majority of places within a 5-10 mile radius are actually much more expensive for a 1 bedroom and my 2 bedroom terraced and others in this area are actually the same price or cheaper than virtually all shared accommodation too!

Fortunately I've been able to get them to honour my existing rent of £295pcm for a 6 month tenancy agreement rather than the £365pcm they proposed and they are working with the selective licencing people at the council to carry out the works and renovations advised.

I'm sure once that's done at the end of the 6 month tenancy agreement they will try and increase the rent and would be well within their right to given the amount of work that is going to be done (new kitchen, new doors, double glazing fitted throughout plus various other costly renovations) and I wouldn't have a problem with that and either I can afford to pay more by then or I will have to go elsewhere but for now things are concluded reasonably. At the end of the day they have to carry out these repairs and renovations under selective licensing so it makes more sense for them to have someone paying £295 a month while they do them than an empty property which I would imagine is what has caused them to reconsider along with the pressure from myself and the council!