URGENT Housing benefit/does the landlord have to be on a 'register'???

loonybirdy

Hi,

My sister is looking to rent privately and claim housing benefit, but someone has told her she can only rent from landlords that are on some sort of 'register' or holding a 'licence' - is this correct?

Her landlord is a private individiual who is renting their house out as they cannot sell it, they are not a housing association or anything...so do they have to apply for this special licence to be able to take on a housing benefit claimant???

Or is this nonsense, and she doesnt have to worry??

Please advise asap, she is meeting with landlord this afternoon....kind thanks everyone :-)

MRS_TO_BE_2

Never had heard of a register before. Might be worth doing a google search for housing benefit but in my experience Housing benefit is paid in many types of situtions include room in house, houseshares, private landlord agreements.

Worth a call to council to check on Monday though

Sparky67

I've not heard of this - I wonder is they are getting confused with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme - if the Landlord takes a deposit then he must deal with it within the terms of the scheme (and that can mean registering with a scheme provider). It protects the tenant's deposit of there is an issue over damage etc at the end of the tenancy. The landlord must notify the tenant of how the money has been deposited or he cannot evict at the end of the tenancy.

See http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm

MRS_TO_BE_2

Of course Sparky67....why didn't I think of that!

terryw

Also landlords have to be licensed in certain designated areas (usually areas of antisocial activity) and where HMOs are involved. Here's a link to a thread which eventually covers this.http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=942373

terryw