Wanting to move but on housing benefit

top_drawer_2

hi,

I have a friend who suffers with serious enduring mental health problems and receives housing benefit along with all the other benefits her and husband are entitled too.

The area she lives in is pretty awful and its affecting her life as its so rough and generally just awful. I suggested that maybe she should move and she would be keen for this but how does she go about it?

Can she just look for another place and move like someone who pays rent to a private LL? or does she have to apply for a move?

Jenny

seven-day-weekend

AFAIK she can just move and look for a place with a similar rent.

(Edited to add : Sorry, ignore this as it is wrong - I assumed she was renting privately).

Ice_2

does she own her house or are they in a council house...housing association....private landlord...

Conor_3

She saves up enough for a bond and a months rent which is typically what a private landlord wants up front. She then gives notice to quit as required by her tenancy agreement, then moves into the new place when that's up or nearly up. She may end up paying rent on two places if the dates overlap. Once in the new place, she ends her current claim and submits a new claim for the new address for both HB and CTB.

Elle00

Jen_L wrote: »

hi,

I have a friend who suffers with serious enduring mental health problems and receives housing benefit along with all the other benefits her and husband are entitled too.

The area she lives in is pretty awful and its affecting her life as its so rough and generally just awful. I suggested that maybe she should move and she would be keen for this but how does she go about it?

Can she just look for another place and move like someone who pays rent to a private LL? or does she have to apply for a move?

Jenny

You need to say what kind of accommodation she's in really. Is she in a private rental or a social rental at present?

top_drawer_2

hi,

Its social, rented from the council.

She seems to think that without a "good reason" to move the council can force her to stay where they are. They are refurbishing the blocks at the moment and its complete chaos - the service that are available in the area are very limited. I was hoping that if she can move out the area these sorts of things might improve ...

Jenny

Conor_3

They can't and in some areas where there's a shortage of council houses, they actually pay you if you're single or a couple and willing to give up a house/flat they can put a family in.

LadyMorticia

Jen_L wrote: »

hi,

Its social, rented from the council.

She seems to think that without a "good reason" to move the council can force her to stay where they are. They are refurbishing the blocks at the moment and its complete chaos - the service that are available in the area are very limited. I was hoping that if she can move out the area these sorts of things might improve ...

Jenny

Is she looking to move into private accommodation or another council place? She might be able to put in for an exchange if she's looking to move into another council place.

I'm not really too clued up on the council side of things though.

xx

top_drawer_2

hi,

The place she lives in atm is a high rise block of flats - no idea how many bedrooms etc she has in the flat.

I suggested her putting in for an exchange but she said that no-one wants to live where she does and that it will 9 years or until they are planning on knocking them down so they can move elsewhere....

Jen

top_drawer_2

hi,

The place she lives in atm is a high rise block of flats - no idea how many bedrooms etc she has in the flat.

I suggested her putting in for an exchange but she said that no-one wants to live where she does and that it will 9 years or until they are planning on knocking them down so they can move elsewhere....

Jen

LadyMorticia

Jen_L wrote: »

hi,

The place she lives in atm is a high rise block of flats - no idea how many bedrooms etc she has in the flat.

I suggested her putting in for an exchange but she said that no-one wants to live where she does and that it will 9 years or until they are planning on knocking them down so they can move elsewhere....

Jen

Eek. That's a long time. My nan had the same problem with regards to exchanging. Nobody wants to live in one of the roughest parts of Letchworth.lol. =/

I'm not sure what else to suggest. I'm sure someone will be along soon who may be able to help though. I hope things get sorted.

xx