RTB with benefit over payment

[user1478197457]

Hi all
I am a council tenant for 7 years and have £2900 housing benefit overpaid for which a reasonable payment plan is set and i am paying back £120 by direct debit since April so £720 already paid back. I am in job since December 2018. Now I am thinking to buy this house under RTB. Can this benefit over payment restrict me to buy my council house.

Apply. It’s not rent arrears so you might get away with it. Try it and see.

In my experience as RTB admin, our Legal department will request details of debts just prior to completion and won't let you complete unless it is paid. This is for rent arrears, council tax and HB overpayment.

My experience, also is that the debt has to be cleared first.

It's usually only rent arrears that affects it. In any case mine took 15 months to complete so your debt will probably be paid by the time it's processed.