Anyone know where we would stand on housing benefit?

[DrinkFromSantasFountain]

We have been to look at a house today, it's perfect and lovely and in exactly the right place, the kitchen is gorgeous. Only thing is it's got three bedrooms, we only have Dh and I and one ds, we are eligable for housing benefit but would we get refused because the house would technically be under-occupied? We're living with family at the moment so can't claim for this house at all. Also we're having a few problems and I think it's run it's course it's time to move on.
Its a private rent direct with the landlord who seems lovely, he's said we don't have to pay a month in advance or bond as he has some insurance policy which is £100 and covers the bond so we would be able to move straight in.

Any ideas? We've been on the council list for ten years and have only been offered one house which was horrible and in page hall in sheffield. (Google it it's not nice at the mo)

[MrsSippie]

Are either of you working? That would obviously impact

[1sassylassy]

If its a private let then the bedroom tax as its referred to would not apply as thats only for social housing,private lets get local housing allowance.You could go on to your local councils website,it should say how much LHA you are entitled to .You could also run your details throughwww.entitledto.co.uk.

[AtAmber]

You will be entitled to the 2 bedroom LHA. Your council website will tell you what this is. Depending on on what your income is you may get this amount eg if you are on Income Support or may be entitled to less than this eg if you are working. Again, the council website should have a calculator which will give you a figure of what your HB would be based on your income and the LHA figure.

[minsmum]

They would base your assessment on a 2 bedroom lha rate. The best thing to do is go on your council website and do an assessment. You put in the rent and your income and how many bedrooms. This will give you an idea.

[DrinkFromSantasFountain]

Dh works full time at minimum wage and I'm a sahm but get child tax credits and carers allowance as I look after my mil.
The rent is £475 and Lha says we're eligable for £400 so we would make up the rest but any help would be a bonus as we pay £400 to live here and were house sharing.

[AtAmber]

So if your LHA is £400 that is the figure that would be used to calculate your HB. Have you done the calculation to see what your HB may be?

[specialsubject]

I looked up the zero deposit bond. Great idea, but all the sites seem to say 'not accepting new bonds'.

[DrinkFromSantasFountain]

I don't really understand it he arranged it all with Dh while I was ooohhing and aaahhing at the built in spice rack in the kitchen which slides out from beside the cooker lol
He says he lives round the corner and is a copper he just has a couple of houses for the investment so he should be trustworthy.
I'm hoping it all comes off ok as I seem to have fallen in love with the house...
It's going to cause arguments in the family though, sil wanted us to take over her house which we currently share but we would be paying their mortgage and all the bills and we just can't afford it because we can't claim hb while we're living in family's house.

[mumtobealloveragain]

Bit confused as to what your question is OP?

As a private let you aren't subject to "bedroom tax" as such, but as you've said yourself, you will only be eligible for he maximum award your local authority will give for a 2 bedroom property. How old is your child as if they are young it may be even less- around here it would be 1 bedroom if your child is under 2 years old as they aren't entitled to qualify for a bedroom as expected to share with you.

If you choose to move into a house which is larger than you "need" then you must make up the shortfall in rent.

As a side note...Jealous about the £475 a month rent for a lovely 3 bed house, around this way (not a great area even) it's more like £1000 for the same