landlords and housing benefit

getting-sorted-sarah

robwend wrote: »

so the fact i can pay myself for the first 6 months do i keep quiet? i worry il be made to move on again with the kids and dont think i could cope emotionally with that. wont someone from the lettings agent of landlord have to sign something though? . i mean i could be living anywhere for all they know??

The council will want to see your rent agreement, that is their proof of where you are living - any agency or landlord should provide this for you. They may also check that the agancy is for real, if they are not already aware of it. But if you ask them not to contact the landlord/agency, they shouldn't.

It is not a matter of keeping quiet - for example, if you earn £800 a month and your rent is £700, the landlord/agency are going to doubt your ability to pay... they want to know where the other money is coming from - this is why I say be upfront, if you have to disclose your salary, you may have to discuss Housing Benefit.

getting-sorted-sarah

You can claim if you have less than £6K.

getting-sorted-sarah

OK, say you are not claiming straight away, maybe you could keep quiet - how long would your equity last?

dmg24

getting-sorted-sarah wrote: »

You can claim if you have less than £6K.

You can claim if you have less than £16K. Anything above £6K will be tapered off what you are eligible for.

robwend

getting-sorted-sarah wrote: »

OK, say you are not claiming straight away, maybe you could keep quiet - how long would your equity last?

6 months. so il be on no means tested benefits at all

getting-sorted-sarah

If I was you, I would contact your council and ask how much they would expect the rent to be on a property of the size you would need, they decide what you need based on your family size.
Then look for something in this ballpark.
You can check on https://www.entitledto.com to see how much benefit you would get, but remember to use the council's rent rather than the actual one.

getting-sorted-sarah

By the sounds of it, as dmg24 is quite right, you should claim straight away, use your equity to fund the deposit and upfront rent, but You should be entitled to something straight away.

robwend

ive done all that as ive already said in my post, i know how much shortfall il have to pay. thats not my worry.

getting-sorted-sarah

Sorry!
Ok well your landlord does not have to know, however some landlords may be happy if you say this is where I work and here is 2 months in advnace, whereas some, especially agencies will want to see more detailed finances and proof that you can pay ongoing - and I don't know how you can do that without letting them know that you'll receive HB.
Sorry if I've not been much help, I have been in your situation, it is hard but not impossible - wishing you all the best in your new start. x

robwend

cheers hun. ive taken your advise on boardxx