Local Housing allowance

Oldernotwiser

Given what you've said about the comparative costs of 1 bed versus 2 bed accommodation in your area, have you actually checked what he'll be eligible for on LHA and the difference between this amount and the current rent of the house? There's nothing to stop him topping up his LHA payment as many people have to do.

Sorry if you've already looked at this.

mrsspendalot

Well as a single over 25 the LHA is £85 a week, as someone with dependents the LHA would be £101 something. The rent is £400 a month. BUT when I inputted his income details into entitledto.co.uk, it said he would not be entitled to any help. It only asks for income and doesn't take into consideration child maintenance payments. His net weekly income is £250ish, but he is paying £50 a week in child maintenance for 3 children from that (and that is reduced on the assumption he has them at least one/two nights every week - which in reality he actually won't anyway because of his shifts). This is what is making me think about whether there is any way that such payments get taken into account. I see the new rules coming in this month mean that parents receiving the maintenance will have it disregarded as income for HB/CTB - presumably the parent paying it out if they are on a low income should have that taken into account to make it fair on both parents? (Thinking out loud - not really asking anyone to answer as such)

Chrysalis

mrsspendalot wrote: »

The state will not be funding 2 homes, as I stated I will not be claiming any assistance with rent on my own new property, nor am I claiming any now. My income is high enough for me to cope without claiming anything. However, my ex husband is on a low income and will probably struggle on his own.

since you are not claiming LHA for the child I would think its possible for him to be claiming for himself and a child which I think 'may' entitle to a 2 room property. The problem he may have tho is if you are the one getting all the other child related benefits they may see it as a fraudelent claim.

Oldernotwiser

Chrysalis wrote: »

since you are not claiming LHA for the child I would think its possible for him to be claiming for himself and a child which I think 'may' entitle to a 2 room property. The problem he may have tho is if you are the one getting all the other child related benefits they may see it as a fraudelent claim.

I read the previous post as saying that he wouldn't be eligible for ANY LHA because of his income. Was this what you meant?

Oldernotwiser

Have you looked at the possibility of his claiming tax credits rather than you? This is perfectly legal and might be beneficial.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/more-one-address.htm

lil_me

If he has joint custody and claims CB for them then depending on his income he may be able to claim for a 2 bedroom, housing office would be able to advise on this. He needs to have the children with him for the majority of the time to do this. However with an income of £250 I doubt he'd be entitled to any support.

This is from Scotland but a lot of it's the same nationally which might help http://www.opfs.org.uk/helpdesk/pubs/fs_non-resident-fathers.pdf

mrsspendalot

Really him claiming the CB and CTC isn't an option, as it makes up the bulk of my income along with the maintenance I receive, and without it then I would also have to claim help with my rent etc. whereas at the moment I am managing to pay everything without any state assistance (other than CTC and CB which I got even when I was with him, so haven't claimed anything since being single if you get me). It's a bit of a catch 22 really. Besides, he doesn't technically have joint custody - they live with me and spend the odd night with him as and when his shifts allow - so it is me with the day to day expense of bringing them up, feeding them, clothing them, etc.

I'm guessing then that he won't qualify for any help with his rent, so I will just tell him that and he can then decide whether he wants to take on the house anyway or whether he feels he cannot afford it at the moment.

Thanks for all your helpful replies

suelees1

LHA regulations are that children can only be included in the household room rate calculation if they spend most of the time with the LHA claimant. This normally means if they're getting child benefit for them. The following is a link to calculating the rooms required

http://www.wigan.gov.uk/Services/AdviceBenefitsEmergencies/Benefits/Housing/LHACalc.htm

novazombie

How does it work deciding how many rooms altogether.

So a couple with a baby would have a LHA for 2 bedroom place but what about living rooms?

So in centre of London its 540 per week. Will that be payable for ANY 2bed room flat? (if they qualify)

novazombie

real1314 wrote: »

my advice for renting to a relative is to get a copy of zebedee, ward and lister's guide to HB and CTB, should be a copy in your local library, or wh smith stock it.

look at contrived tenancies, relatives etc.

there are hurdles you have to jump over, but nothing insurmountable as long as it's a genuine situation.

Is this book zebedee still available?