UC - bills included in rent

luther_31

Hi all,

I am sorry if this has been discussed before. However, I have a problem with my UC application for housing costs.

As I understand it, UC doesn’t cover utility bills and as requested, I contacted my letting agents to obtain a letter to outline rental fees without bills. Sadly, they have said they are unable to provide me with this information.

I’m at a loss with how to proceed with this? I’m in private rented and it’s a one bedroom flat. There are several other flats as part of this complex and I believe all have similar tenancy agreements with bills included.

Any guidances or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 

Newcad

As this is for a Private Rental then it makes no difference whether bills are included in the rent or not, UC Housing Element for a private rental is capped at the applicable LHA rate that you qualify for.
If your rent is more than your LHA rate, which it will be if it includes bills, then you only get paid the LHA rate.
(TBH most private rents are above LHA even without bills included).

If it was a Social Rental then UC asks for a breakdown of rent, service charges, included bills, etc. and does not pay for any Utility Bills.

Note that the UC computer will still ask for such a breakdown for a private rental, it's just simpler to ask everyone.
If your private LL won't supply a breakdown then just put what rent you actually pay.
If someone at UC tries to insist on a breakdown tell them that the LL will not provide one and point out that it is a private rental so LHA applies anyway. (and no breakdown is required).

tomtom256

A break down is required, as they will not pay any bills as part of the housing element, regardless of LHA amount and to get the housing element, they will need to see evidence of your tenacy agreement to verify the costs.

The LHA only covers the rent, dpending on age the OP may also only get the shared room.

Unless you get somebody that doesn't know what they are doing verifying the costs, you may face difficulty having them accepted.

Newcad

That is incorrect, for private rental LHA rate it does not matter at all what is included in the rent.

The 'inclusive rent' is what it is but only up to LHA rate will be paid regardless.

It is purely and simply for the convienience of UC computer processing that it asks everybody for a breakdown.

In the calculation for private rentals that breakdown, if provided, is ignored and all that counts is LHA not what the rent includes.

Very very few private rentals, even without bills included, are below LHA so it isn't an issue for the DWP if those very few might end up including a couple of quid towards bills.