Going from flat to shared accommodation

Ryzen26

I'm looking to give my council flat to go into shared accommodation. Quite simply because I hate where I live. I've weighed up the pros and cons and think it's time to move.
I was just wondering I'm receiving ESA and im in the support group and pip standard daily living. Will I be entitled to the full rent of shared accommodation? And what would you advise I do once I find a landlord? 

Thanks. Btw I acknowledge the covid 19 right delay things a bit

calcotti

Do you get the Severe Disability Premium in your ESA award?
Will you still be living within the same local authority?
Do you currently get Housing Benefit?
Will you be renting privately?
The maximum amount of help with rent you can get when renting privately is restricted by the local Housing Allowance. Normally if you are under 35 you can only get the shared room rate, however because you get Daily Living PIP you will be entitled to the one bedroom rate. This is the maximum you will get, if your rent is less you will get your rent covered. The LHA amounts vary with post code, see https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

Ryzen26

Yes I do get the sdp and yes I will remain with the same local authority. Thanks for the info

Ryzen26

Yes I want to get a room in a shared house thanks.

calcotti

Ryzen26 said:

Yes I do get the sdp ....

In that case there should be no problem transferring your HB to a new address or making anew claim if you do not already get it.

Ryzen26

Ok thanks and is spare room website a good place to start looking?

poppy12345

Ryzen26 said:

Ok thanks and is spare room website a good place to start looking?

It may not be as simple as that. Claiming benefits is a downside to renting and you could find it very difficult to find a landlord that will accept DSS claimants. When i moved house in October last year it took me more than a year to find somewhere. I finally found a house but needed a guarantor before they would even think about accepting me, despite never being in arrears with rent in more than 10 years of renting.

calcotti

poppy12345 said: I finally found a house but needed a guarantor before they would even think about accepting me, despite never being in arrears with rent in more than 10 years of renting. 

That really is shocking. Also perverse, because you are on benefits you have a regular (albeit) limited income whereas, as the current situation shows, those in employment are often only one pay check away from disaster.

Ryzen26

Poppy I'm aware it's harder but I only want to rent a room which should be easier than renting a house?

poppy12345

calcotti said:

poppy12345 said: I finally found a house but needed a guarantor before they would even think about accepting me, despite never being in arrears with rent in more than 10 years of renting. 

That really is shocking. Also perverse, because you are on benefits you have a regular (albeit) limited income whereas, as the current situation shows, those in employment are often only one pay check away from disaster.

Yes indeed it is and yes that's the most logical way of thinking but sadly most landlords/agencies don't think that way. I could prove 10 years of renting too but it didn't help.

poppy12345

Ryzen26 said:

Poppy I'm aware it's harder but I only want to rent a room which should be easier than renting a house?

Sadly not, it won't make any difference.