Rental increase over the LHA DHP information

Spicedpumpkin

This is regarding any advice on Discretionary Housing Payments

I have CB ESA and DLA , my partner CA IS and HB

We are in a long term private rented house and get HB .

We have just had a massive rental increase via a section 13, which I knew would be coming. However it has gone up 34 % !

This house is 3 bedroom although the box room is tiny.

The new rent is probably in line with current local rents HOWEVER the property is not up to the standards of those other properties.

This is my partner's childhood home since the late 50's and his parents before that.

The LHA 1 bedroom rate obviously now does not cover the rent. And there is an £80 shortfall each week. So we are looking at finding £320 a month extra we have to find.

Long term we would like to move for various reasons but at present my partner is in bad health and is having chemotherapy, and I think it would be too much for him to cope with.

Has anyone had much dealings with DHP at all, as I was wondering if that would be a way forward? I know downsizing and moving would be ideal in the future but I just have to think of the now and how we can deal with this massive increase.

Many Thanks

nicx83

Dhp would potentially be able to help it will depend on your local authority policy. 

Although it is supposed to be a short term solution so you would need to show that you are actively looking for smaller/ cheaper more affordable property. For example at my local authority we request proof of registration on home point for social housing and bidding history. 

Dhp can also help with removal costs, rent deposit and rent in advance 

Alice_Holt

I'd suggest contacting your local Macmillan benefits adviser, and getting their help with the completion of your LA DHP form.

They may also be aware of any possible grants, etc.
And would be able to do a benefit check - for instance, does your partner not receive PIP ?

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/financial-and-work/welfare-rights-advice

KxMx

My local council will only consider awarding DHP for those under occupying if they are actively seeking to downsize. 
However if your local council has the same policy with your husbands current circumstances they may be able to show some discretion. 

HillStreetBlues

KxMx said:

My local council will only consider awarding DHP for those under occupying if they are actively seeking to downsize. 
However if your local council has the same policy with your husbands current circumstances they may be able to show some discretion. 

My council it's "exceptional circumstances and for short-term periods"
With private renting it seems anything haft decent  requires a top-up.

theoretica

With such a long standing tenancy (how did it change between generations?) it seems worth finding out exactly what sort of tenancy you have and its legal status and your rights.  Is the section 13 valid? 

HillStreetBlues

theoretica said:

With such a long standing tenancy (how did it change between generations?) it seems worth finding out exactly what sort of tenancy you have and its legal status and your rights.  Is the section 13 valid? 

Good point.
The more details the OP can give about the tenancy the better.

Spicedpumpkin

theoretica said:

With such a long standing tenancy (how did it change between generations?) it seems worth finding out exactly what sort of tenancy you have and its legal status and your rights.  Is the section 13 valid? 

Thanks for the response. It was under his Dad as a protected tenancy, then passed to his Mum then to my partner by succession but then it changed to a a different tenancy, an assured shorthold I think. It was a section 13 and it is valid, they put it up every year, which they can. And this time is is so much......

Spicedpumpkin

HillStreetBlues said:

theoretica said:

With such a long standing tenancy (how did it change between generations?) it seems worth finding out exactly what sort of tenancy you have and its legal status and your rights.  Is the section 13 valid? 

Good point.
The more details the OP can give about the tenancy the better.

Many thanks, just updated it as below 
Thanks for the response. It was under his Dad as a protected tenancy, then passed to his Mum then to my partner by succession but then it changed to a a different tenancy, an assured shorthold I think. It was a section 13 and it is valid, they put it up every year, which they can. And this time is is so much......

HillStreetBlues

Spicedpumpkin said:

Many thanks, just updated it as below 
Thanks for the response. It was under his Dad as a protected tenancy, then passed to his Mum then to my partner by succession but then it changed to a a different tenancy, an assured shorthold I think. It was a section 13 and it is valid, they put it up every year, which they can. And this time is is so much......

When and why did it change?

Spicedpumpkin

Many Thanks. We have not registered for social housing. To be honest I do not think we would have any chance at all. As we have no children and our local council have a massive waiting list. We have considered doing it. But long term we would like to move out of the area as it is not very nice to be honest. Thanks for the info