HB vs Council Apartment

themarques

Hi guys, I wonder if you could clear this up for me. I noticed that there seems to be two options available to people in the housing market 1)Housing Benefit Private Landlord and 2)Council Property.. what I dont understand is I recently lost my Job and applied for HB and am currently awaiting a decision from the council which seems pretty straight forward in my opinion ie I will still likely stay in the same place I used to rent and is decent in its own right.

But then I see single mums and a few other people saying they are on a waiting list for a council property and some have been waiting ages for something half decent and I can not understand why they don't apply for housing benefit and rent from a private landlord?

I am sure I am missing something does it make a difference that I am on JSA? and they might not be?

Second question is I plan on signing off JSA in the coming weeks will that effect my HB?

and lastly how long a time scale can someone be on HB? and should my landlord decide that he doesnt want to rent the property anymore would I have to reply if I plan on staying in the same borough ..

sorry for the 1001 questions you guys have been a great help.:T :T :T

Fran

themarques wrote: »

Second question is I plan on signing off JSA in the coming weeks will that effect my HB?

and lastly how long a time scale can someone be on HB? and should my landlord decide that he doesnt want to rent the property anymore would I have to reply if I plan on staying in the same borough ..

Yes you will have to notify HBen of your change in circumstances.

If you move you will have to notify HBen.

thedarknight

hi
When you sign off the jsa you will have up to 4 weeks to tell the hb of your change of circ. I'm not sure if the jsa will notify the council otherwise. (i'm in the middle of the form filling in rubish myself).

themarques

But will the HB stop if I stop claiming JSA, I know its strange but I would prefer not to continue claiming JSA and just try and survive on the little I have saved?

dmg24

The DWP will inform your local authority when you stop claiming JSA, and the LA may ask you to complete a new application form. You will still be eligible for HB based on your low income.

Scarlett1

themarques wrote: »

But then I see single mums and a few other people saying they are on a waiting list for a council property and some have been waiting ages for something half decent and I can not understand why they don't apply for housing benefit and rent from a private landlord?

you mean lone parents yes most of up do privately rent and have no choice, you aren't missing anything just a little ignorant

patchwork_cat

Hi
The problem with private landlords are multiple. 1 - the need for a deposit. 2 - frequently L/L will not take 'DSS' 3. H.B. can take a while to process and either the tenant has to pay the rent in the meantime or the L/L has to be understanding.

However there is another option that you haven't thought about - Housing Association.

The H.B. dept. needs to be informed of any changes in your circs. In my day (eons ago!) the only govt. department that would contact H.B. was Income Support. This also caused problems if say someone didn't sign we would receive a cancellation of I.S. and hence cancel H.B. often the claimant didn't realise until we notified them. This would cause an overpayment (albeit on paper) and a need for a new form. VERY frustrating for all concerned inc H.B. dept and who was shouted at and abused - yes us. However we didn't know whether the claimant had found a job or was just sick on signing day.

and should my landlord decide that he doesnt want to rent the property anymore would I have to reply if I plan on staying in the same borough ..

Sorry I don't understand what you mean? Reply to whom?If you move house then that is a change in circs so ofcourse you have to reapply as that new place will need to be reassed for H.B.( rent officer, tenacy agreement etc.)

dmg24

In many areas the HA is the council housing! x

jen_jen_2

you are doing yourself no favours by not claiming JSA and trying to live off what little you have saved. JSA is an entitlement to assist you while you find work, dont feel guilty about claiming it, you pay enough in taxes for it. Secondly it will effect you HB, you will have to complete forms again and the council will be surprised you're not claiming it, it is much much easier to keep the claim current and sign on.

you may also have a shortfall in your HB, that is it may not pay for the full rent for your privately rented flat - often one of the many reasons those on benefits for a long period cant/wont privately rent. Depending on where you live other rules may apply (there are new regulations coming in in April but these have been trialled over the past years in specific locations).

if the council consider the property too large for you, or that the rent is too expensive they will only pay what they consider fair and you will have to pay the rest directly to your landlord.


timescale for HB, for as long as you meet the conditions, ie that you have a low income and little savings.

yes, you have to tell the HB everything, any little change in circumstances should be reported as soon as possible, preferably in writing.

if you need advice pop into your nearest CAB

bestpud

I can't add to what has been said already but want to suggest you inform your HB office yourself, as soon as you sign off jobseekers (if indeed you do).

I have seen/heard of so many get in financial strife because one agency has not passed on info to another, or it hasn't arrived, or taken ages to get through, or ben incorrect when it has etc etc. Best to tell them yourself and then you know it has been done!

Re jobseekers - signing on also covers your NI contributions so if you don't, you will accumulate gaps in your overall contributions. Worth thinking about at least as it may affect future entitlements? You can sign on and not get paid, but still protect you NI contributions though [I think].

paisley_lass

The problem with private landlords are multiple. 1 - the need for a deposit. 2 - frequently L/L will not take 'DSS' 3. H.B. can take a while to process and either the tenant has to pay the rent in the meantime or the L/L has to be understanding.

also in my area HB will not cover the whole amount of rent a private landlord is asking....private lets here are very expensive and i personally could not make up the difference ££