renting somewhere on housing benefit

[TeradelFuego]

This is for my niece. She is trying to get away from an violent partner (they are separated, but he knows where she is currently - better if he didn't). Police, social workers are aware. She is not working, has a young child, and claims benefits. She has applied for a new place in a different area from her local council, but they are taking an age. My parents have the money to help her get into a private rental (fees, deposit, becoming a guarantor, maybe even 6 month's rent upfront). But we have questions, have tried various helplines and can't get through:

1. Will she be able to continue with her housing benefit claim and transfer it to the new property? Any problems with this?

1. How to spin her as a desirable tenant to letting agencies/landlords? As I know that many have a blanket 'no benefits' thing when looking for tenants.

Thanks for any advice.

If I'm being honest, for her and her child's long term security, I would try and avoid private rental. Especially as it sounds as if she does qualify for help from the council, even though they are taking a long time. She will never get that opportunity for their help again and private rentals can be a nightmare. The rent will be higher than social housing, which may not matter to her right now but it will a few years down the line. There's no long term security. If there is any other option at all then I really wouldn't. And once she goes into a private rental the council will drop her as she will no longer be a priority. I'm sorry, I know I haven't answered your actual questions! But she really should think carefully about this.

Oh .... yes, you are right of course. Didn't think of that. It's just that we really want to get her away from there asap, as you can imagine.

And I myself have been in the same private rental for over six years, without too many problems. But maybe I've just been lucky.

Yes I can understand that. I would maybe try and apply a bit more pressure to the housing department and stress that she and her child are at risk where they currently are. You may already have letters from SS, police etc but maybe also from GP? Or even go to your local MP? So is she currently in the home they shared together? To answer one of your questions, yes HB claims can be transferred anyway.

Yes, same house (another private rental) that they previously shared. I think he is actually dangerous, though. So we thought we'd move her closer to family (me, my parents - her grandparents). Very worried.

The thing is, even if he never does anything, psychologically it must be very hard for her knowing he could turn up at any time. Definitely I would try and put more pressure on the council, try and get some sort of time frame from them at least so she can make an informed decision. Social workers seem to have a bit of sway in these areas so maybe speak to them again. If you decide in the end to go the private renting route, I think some councils do have lists of landlords that accept HB or she can ask SS to help her find somewhere.

Thanks for your help, Storm4star

No problem, I hope it all works out ok.

Can she go to a refuge? They can help with the housing application too.
Totally agree with pp re getting social housing instead of private rental.
X

Definitely consider a refuge, it's much easier to get new housing going though one.

Just something to bear in mind - if she moves to a new local authority and that area is full service Universal credit this will mean she will have to switch to UC. Tax credits and income support ( if she gets that) will stop immediately and she will have to wait 5 weeks for first UC payment although she can apply for an advance.