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Renting from Relative - Housing Benefits?

Hi All,
I currently rent privately from an Aunt. 
- I have recently had to sign on to Universal Credit due to loss of work. 
Do you know if I am also eligible for housing benefit/council tax reduction?
Thank you in advance for your guidance.

Best regards,

Ben

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,176 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
     Do you have a tenancy agreement? 
    Has she rented it out to others prior to you moving in? 
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Whilst in some cases this may be a contrived tenancy, i think if you can prove a length of time paying rent, the council will accept this set up.

  • KatrinaWaves
    KatrinaWaves Posts: 2,944 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Council tax reduction will be fine.

    assuming you have lived there a reasonable amount of time and have always paid the rent yourself previously then you’ll be fine with housing benefit also. If it was rent free until you lost your job then you wouldn’t, or if you had only moved in last month with a view to quitting your job, same. 
  • Thank you all for your comments.

    Yes - There was a tenant previous to me.
    I have lived here for twelve years - paying rent. 
    There was another period during the 12 years whereby I needed to claim housing benefit - and did so without much thought.
    Being a little older now, and slightly more worldly-wise - I want to make sure I am not breaking any rules/laws before claiming anything.
  • KatrinaWaves
    KatrinaWaves Posts: 2,944 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    I am 99.9999% sure you will be fine with that history. 
  • Yes- have a tenancy agreement.

    Thank you all for your help.
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