Will UC housing element also pay hot water and heating costs?

[Question8383]

Posting for traffic as I posted on the Property/DIY board but didn’t receive any comments. I’d really appreciate advice as I need to make a decision soon!

I’ve put in an offer for a rental property that’s been accepted by the Landlord. The Estate Agents called me today saying that the Landlord has only now revealed that they will be charging £200 a month to cover hot water and heating costs which will be on top of the monthly £1900 PCM rent. This will also be written into the tenancy agreement.

I told the EA to withdraw the offer because £2100 is way above my LHA which is £1944. The EA suggested to put in an offer for £1800 PCM and with the £200 additional charge, that will take the monthly total up to £2000. Now, here’s my question.

As the £200 charge will be written in my tenancy, will this also be covered by the housing element? Will I receive £1944 a month by UC and have to top it up by £56. Or will UC pay £1800 which is the official rent price and I’ll have to cover the £200 by myself? I’m struggling to find an answer on this so I’d be helpful to hear from those in the same situation and are on UC

It’s somewhat similar to my current property.

If there’s a communal heating and hot water system, the tenant doesn’t pay for the usage as the Landlord is the one who gets charged via the council. They get a bill every year with the service charges that they need to pay and there’s also a section that says ‘hot water = usage amount, heating, usage amount.’

I personally don’t like it because the amounts aren’t specific to the tenants actual usage. Even if the property was empty, the Landlord will still have to pay the billed costs to the council. Not much I can do if there’s only a communal hot water and heating system though

It sounds a bit dodgy to me OP. As others have said it sounds like you could end up paying for others heating aand hot water!

So on top of getting £200 for heat and hot water, you'll still be paying more for actual water bill and electric/gas ?
My heat and hot water in 3 bed house doesn't cost £200 a month.

If the figurebid listed separately then generally not covered. An exception is if it covers the common parts (so electricity just for the stairwell landings etc not in your flat itself.

Exactly that. I’d still have to pay the bill for water and gas/electric anyway. It’s only a two bedroom flat and I very much doubt that the heating and hot water cost will amount to £2400 a year. The only thing is, if it’s a communal system then there’s no way to see how much I have used personally.

A previous poster asked what will happen if I’ve overpaid and whether I’ll have access to the yearly bill and that’s a very valid question. When the EA gets back to me on the counter offer, I’ll certainly ask that.

In my current property, the Landlord sends me the yearly bill that he’s received from the council and he pays it straight away. I then set up a payment plan and pay it back to him. I’m currently in a one bedroom flat but our usage for last year was only £690. Sending £200 a month seems excessive especially if the Landlord won’t even be sending me the yearly bill🤔

Are some of you never using your heating and hot water?
We pay £250pm for ours (3 bed terrace, 2 adults, 2 kids) and we are still in debt to the tune of about £1500.
I can't imagine paying £110pm and building up credit for winter.

Nastysting one of the drivers of damp issues in properties occupied by low income tenants is the property not being heated enough - its very common for people who are hard up to barely run heating.

Have I just read this correctly -universal credit will pay nearly £2k a month for rent ??

You have read correctly, yes. It depends on your bedroom entitlement and what the Local Housing Allowance is for the private rentals in your area

I'm sorry- but I don't know the answer to your question... But... I would check what happens if the amount goes up or down over the period you are in the property. Sometimes communal heating can be very very expensive and you don't want to get landed we an even bigger bill.

UC will not cover this.
i have part of the rent which is a management charge- not ‘rent’.
That is deducted from the total that UC consider the rent to be.

That’s a good point! Another thing to consider, thank you

no , UC is for rent only. If your rental agreement actually lists this cost in it you will be asked to get an agreement from LL showing the rental without it. And they do check …

I am shocked by this -we both work full time and my husband takes home £1900 a month -goes to work at 5.30 every morning and we barely cover our rent from his wages as it's £1775 a month .
Is it really correct that benefits could cover this ?

@sugarisbad
But what would the alternative be? If someone is out of work or on such a low income that they qualify for help with rent, of course benefits need to cover the cost of the housing that is considered reasonable in each area. The problem is surely more that rents are too high and wages for many are too low. Not that benefits cover the cost of people having a roof over their head.

@sugarisbad You don't necessarily get that amount. They make deductions based on your earnings. Our LHA is 950 but last month we got 670 total including child allowance etc after deductions.

I disagree -how can it possibly be right that someone works every day and everything they earn goes on rent ...someone else gets handout and doesn't have to work -that's wrong for all concerned .

Im so confused. If you still have gas and electricity bills, what actually is this £200 covering?
And why would your landlord be paying it to the council?

You don't even know why OP is entitled to benefits. They might be disabled, a carer for a disabled person or just been let go from work and on job seekers while they apply for another job.

Do you think people in those situations should just be homeless?

@sugarisbad it's also important to know that (A) not every single benefit claimant will get anywhere near this amount (B) many people on benefits are also working but are on a stupidly low pay.

If you fall into this category then you can check to see if you are entitled to anything - I've heard people in your situation complain about how people on benefits are so much better off than working people, only to find out that they were entitled to something.

Can you show me where I said I don’t work? You know, seeing as I have a job and all.

If you and your husband struggle, that has absolutely nothing to do with me. You coming on here telling me that I get a handout will not increase your income. So If you’re saying that to make yourself feel better about yourself then go ahead. I really hope it helps you.

Also, if you’re so upset that you don’t get a handout. Please feel free to work part time, become a single parent and have two children with disabilities. Don’t forget, you’ll have the luxury of living in London and having an additional bedroom allowance due to the nature of one child’s disability. I’m sure you’d really enjoy your handout then

£200 covers the hot water and heating as it’ll be a communal system. The hot water and heating charges are paid by the leaseholder to the freeholder. I’m not really sure how else to explain it but I hope that makes sense. If not, hopefully somone can explain it slightly clearer

can you pls tell me how to apply to get £2k towards housing costs?

Move to where OP is and be a single working parent to 2 disabled children.

Bloody hell. I have a 3 bed semi detached 4 people too and pay £97pm!