Being a lodger and claiming Universal Credit

RainyDays1999

Hi all,
I'm thinking of moving away. I'm thinking of moving into someone's home and being a lodger. Depending on how many rooms they have, how much housing benefit would I get from Universal Credit?

elsien

Not sure what difference it makes how many rooms they have? Does it not depend on the local housing allowance rate and having an agreement to prove you are a lodger? 

RainyDays1999

elsien said:

Not sure what difference it makes how many rooms they have? Does it not depend on the local housing allowance rate and having an agreement to prove you are a lodger? 

I have no idea because I'm new to all of this.

elsien

Are you working? Have a look at the entitledto or turn2us calculators. 

How old are you - it does make a difference. 

calcotti

If you are a lodger it means that you live in a room in the same house as your landlord and share the facilities. The number of rooms in the house makes no difference to any UC claim you make. In order to get help with the rent you will need an agreement with your landlord but the maximum amount of help will be restricted to the shared room Local Housing Allowance for the postcode. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Search.aspx

poppy12345

Providing you won't be living with a close relative https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/claiming_benefits_if_you_rent_from_family

RainyDays1999

elsien said:

Are you working? Have a look at the entitledto or turn2us calculators. 

How old are you - it does make a difference. 

I'm 21-years old.

RainyDays1999

calcotti said:

If you are a lodger it means that you live in a room in the same house as your landlord and share the facilities. The number of rooms in the house makes no difference to any UC claim you make. In order to get help with the rent you will need an agreement with your landlord but the maximum amount of help will be restricted to the shared room Local Housing Allowance for the postcode. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Search.aspx

poppy12345 said:

Providing you won't be living with a close relative https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/claiming_benefits_if_you_rent_from_family

So let's say someone has a 3-bedroom house, I would get housing benefit at the rate of a 3-bedroom house? Also, I'd be living with a stranger or a family.  

Spoonie_Turtle

RainyDays1999 said:

calcotti said:

If you are a lodger it means that you live in a room in the same house as your landlord and share the facilities. The number of rooms in the house makes no difference to any UC claim you make. In order to get help with the rent you will need an agreement with your landlord but the maximum amount of help will be restricted to the shared room Local Housing Allowance for the postcode. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Search.aspx

poppy12345 said:

Providing you won't be living with a close relative https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/claiming_benefits_if_you_rent_from_family

So let's say someone has a 3-bedroom house, I would get housing benefit at the rate of a 3-bedroom house? Also, I'd be living with a stranger or a family.  

No, you would get the shared accommodation rate because you are under 35 and presumably single with no children, which is what the link calcotti gave would have shown you.  If you live with family you only have a chance of getting help with housing costs if they are not an immediate family member, which is explained in the link poppy gave.

calcotti

Spoonie_Turtle said: No, you would get the shared accommodation rate because you are under 35 and presumably single with no children, which is what the link calcotti gave would have shown you.  

Which is what I have already told the OP!

calcotti said: ...the maximum amount of help will be restricted to the shared room Local Housing Allowance for the postcode. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Search.aspx

poppy12345

Makes you wonder whether the OP has even bothered to read any of the links posted.