Income support and rent spare room to lodger

Belzie · 22 August 2006 at 10:49AM

Hello

I am getting income support but it is not enough. What are the rules about renting my spare room to a lodger...... a friend has told me that this is ok but I think he means just to do it and not tell the dss..... I want to be open with dss .... would they deduct any money I get from my benefit?

Belzie

hjb123 · 22 August 2006 at 11:21AM

You would have to declare the rent you are receiving from a lodger - it would affect your income support

This from the jobcentre site:

Income from subletting and taking in lodgers
If you sublet part of your home to a tenant, part of this income is ignored. The amount ignored is higher if you provide heating for your tenant.

If you receive money from lodgers or boarders, the first £20.00 a week income plus 50% of the balance from each lodger is ignored in full. A lodger is someone who pays you a charge for their accommodation and at least some cooked or prepared meals.

The rest can be found at:
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Partners/Allowancesandbenefits/Dev_010129.xml.html

missk_ensington · 22 August 2006 at 11:26AM

Don't forget about the Council Tax though, whilst your now exempt cos of IS if a lodger moves in you (or them) will have to pay the council tax with only a 25% discount, which will either eat up about £80 a month of your income or cpost the lodger £80 which will make your lodgings less attractive than someone elses that includes C/Tax