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Where is best value to rent when getting the new LHA
Comments
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This is where your research is limited, as it would be for anyone without access to the figures used to determine the LHA (and these are pretty much impossible to get - I tried to get them for the figures used to determine the eligible rent for HB levels, and they even refused a FOI request).
Rightmove only represents a very small proportion of rented property in an area. Those properties that are already occupied are not listed on there, and many self managing landlords do not use Rightmove.
I seem to recall looking at each of the Pilot Areas websites and finding weekly LHA rates. And whilst I accept Rightmove is not comprehensive it is still a good place to look when doing a general comparison.A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.0 -
Will landlords not bump up their rents to take LHA into account?
In my local area, the weekly amount for a 2bed LHA is £115.38pw. Therefor (£115.38x52/12) = £499.98pm
If the 2bed was currently at £425pcm rental, will he not just raise his rent to £500pm?
Why a landlord would let a claimant keep £15pw is beyond me, its better in his pocket than theirs surely?0 -
I seem to recall looking at each of the Pilot Areas websites and finding weekly LHA rates. And whilst I accept Rightmove is not comprehensive it is still a good place to look when doing a general comparison.
Yes, you can get the LHA rates. However, you cannot get the figures that have been used to determine the LHA rates. This is where your investigation falls down I'm afraid.
To explain why Rightmove is not an adequate comparator, if you imagine that an area has e.g. 100 let/ lettable properties, but you only use 10 of those properties to form an average (and you know that these 10 are towards the higher end), you are not going to get a truly representative figure.
If you use Skegness as an example (not currently a LHA area), there are currently no properties available on Rightmove. This does not mean that there are no let/ lettable properties in Skegness, there are actually hundreds.I have carried out some detailed looking into the pilot areas and find the amounts is well well short of the LHA.
You really need to have a more representative sample before making such sweeping statements, that cause people undue panic.Gone ... or have I?0 -
Will landlords not bump up their rents to take LHA into account?
In my local area, the weekly amount for a 2bed LHA is £115.38pw. Therefor (£115.38x52/12) = £499.98pm
If the 2bed was currently at £425pcm rental, will he not just raise his rent to £500pm?
Why a landlord would let a claimant keep £15pw is beyond me, its better in his pocket than theirs surely?
mitchaa, as has already been stated, if you wish to discuss the politics behind the LHA, it would be more suitable to post on the Housing Board, or in DT.Gone ... or have I?0 -
Yes, you can get the LHA rates. However, you cannot get the figures that have been used to determine the LHA rates. This is where your investigation falls down I'm afraid.
To explain why Rightmove is not an adequate comparator, if you imagine that an area has e.g. 100 let/ lettable properties, but you only use 10 of those properties to form an average (and you know that these 10 are towards the higher end), you are not going to get a truly representative figure.
You really need to have a more representative sample before making such sweeping statements, that cause people undue panic.
Take a 'chill pill' I am an ordinary guy facing, for the first time, having to claim benefits and probably LHA and been trying to find out for myself and getting fantastic help off these forums the reality out there. Where I live their are huge number of rental homes on Righmove but do you expect me to apologise for having researched (I am not Mori you know) as best I can to sort this daunting issue out? The thought of looking into moving to a different area to get a half decent home!
If anyone has been caused panic I apologise and assume you will for your strident tones which casue me distress.A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.0 -
I really don't think that moving areas will increase your chances of getting a better home. You would be better advised to look at different sources of housing, such as:
* Housing Associations
* Local newspapers
* Gumtree
* Local agents
* Asking friends for recommendationsGone ... or have I?0 -
I really don't think that moving areas will increase your chances of getting a better home. You would be better advised to look at different sources of housing, such as:
* Housing Associations
* Local newspapers
* Gumtree
* Local agents
* Asking friends for recommendations
Believe you I have looked at every angle you could think of and I call the various outcomes the 'Dark Side'. Places where I don't want to be but see no options but will keep digging at it. I am not know to give up.A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.0 -
The point it the money paid for LHA is going to be relative to the rates for a particular area eg higher in London so generally you are unlikely to be better off in one place rather than another. I think this point has already been made but I thought it was worth mentioning again.0
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The point it the money paid for LHA is going to be relative to the rates for a particular area eg higher in London so generally you are unlikely to be better off in one place rather than another. I think this point has already been made but I thought it was worth mentioning again.
Yes I realise this but when I read an article, in my local paper, where a couple said they were being forced to consider living elsewhere where they felt their HB would get them a better home I started looking. However you are right in that my findings showed it was relative rent to the LHA in that area so that is not the way forward for me.
What is that expression "Thinking outside of the Box". I hate it but a trying to do just that but the issue is a major one in society. What doesn't help in this area is the huge number of place bought as holiday homes.A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.0
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