Housing benefit

afteradvice

Hi, 
I am currently on child tax credits and working tax credits living at my sisters house ( she has no mortgage and has bought house outright) as she lives abroad, I have just been staying here temporary, she has recently been made redundant in Dubai so is now looking to maybe rent her home out, as I couldn’t really afford the rent just with my 16 hours and tax credits, could I be entitled to any housing benefit? I don’t want to do anything illegal so I am just after some advice?
an estate agent has told me this would be valid although they seem very pushy as to claim there percentage in managing the tenancy.

i looked in gov.uk website and it said I would be moved into universal credit and money would increase by 70, but also said that housing benefit for a 2 bedroom house is around 104 a week? I’m assuming you can not be given both if applying for housing benefit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

poppy12345

It would be Universal credit you will need to claim for any help with the rent. However, there could be some potential problems here with renting from family and the contrived tenancy.

Renting from family members is possible but you'll need to show that you're renting on a commercial basis. This means that you'll need to show that you've been paying your rent in the past, which you haven't because you've been living there rent free. One thing they will also ask is what is the likely hood of your sister evicting you if you didn't pay your rent?  This link gives more details. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_renting_from_family

I'm sure others will give their thoughts once they see this.

wilfred30

It would be an obvious contrived tenancy IMO

afteradvice

yes I think that myself to be honest I know it seems an obvious contived tenancy

afteradvice

thankyou poppy 12345