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Original poster

Universal Credit Housing

37 replies

shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 10:14

Please could someone help me.
I'm looking to move into a new property.
I'm registered disabled and received UC and Enhanced PIP for both areas.
I qualify for the three bedroom rate for certain but if I move into a 2 bedroom house will I only get the 2 bedroom rate. I've read online that the LHA isn't effected by how many rooms are in the house but an estate agent I spoke to said I will only get the 2 bed rate and not the 3 bed I qualify for.
I wondered if anyone has been in this situation and could guide me with the right information.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Catlover1705 · 15/10/2023 10:21

Having worked in this area, your LHA is worked out based on the bedrooms you need, not the bedrooms you have. Are you sure you are entitled to 3 beds? This would mean a bedroom for yourself and a bedroom for 2 others 2 who qualify for a bedroom each.

Bromptotoo · 15/10/2023 10:21

In UC the LHA rate paid is based on the claimants needs rather than the physical number of rooms. Based on what you have said that's 3 beds.

IIRC this is an area where UC differs from legacy Housing Benefit which may why the Letting Agent is giving you a wrong steer.

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 10:22

Catlover1705 · 15/10/2023 10:21

Having worked in this area, your LHA is worked out based on the bedrooms you need, not the bedrooms you have. Are you sure you are entitled to 3 beds? This would mean a bedroom for yourself and a bedroom for 2 others 2 who qualify for a bedroom each.

Hiya. Thanks for your quick response. Yes I have a condition that means I can't share a bed with my partner. So he would need his own bed as well as a carer I have who get caters allowance for me. I believe this is correct.

OP posts:
Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 10:25

Bromptotoo · 15/10/2023 10:21

In UC the LHA rate paid is based on the claimants needs rather than the physical number of rooms. Based on what you have said that's 3 beds.

IIRC this is an area where UC differs from legacy Housing Benefit which may why the Letting Agent is giving you a wrong steer.

Hiya. Thanks for your prompt reply. I would need a room, and I would need a room for my partner and a room for my carer as my condition doesn't allow me to share a bed unfortunately. Would I need to prove this to uc of could I just put this information in the journal? I've never heard of the other thing you mentioned. I am newish to disability benefits so have only ever been on PIP and UC.

OP posts:
Tomatoketchupred · 15/10/2023 10:26

If private renting you will get the 3 bed rate even if you live in a 2 bed.

PinkMoscatoLover · 15/10/2023 10:31

As long as you enter all your details on the LHA bedroom calculator and it says that you’re entitled to a three bed then this is (or your rent, whichever is lower) what will be paid to you.

I live in a one bedroom flat and receive the LHA for a three bed. It depends on your circumstances when you private rent and not how many rooms you actually have. The EA is incorrect

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 11:35

Tomatoketchupred · 15/10/2023 10:26

If private renting you will get the 3 bed rate even if you live in a 2 bed.

Thank you for answering

OP posts:
Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 11:37

PinkMoscatoLover · 15/10/2023 10:31

As long as you enter all your details on the LHA bedroom calculator and it says that you’re entitled to a three bed then this is (or your rent, whichever is lower) what will be paid to you.

I live in a one bedroom flat and receive the LHA for a three bed. It depends on your circumstances when you private rent and not how many rooms you actually have. The EA is incorrect

Hiya. Thanks for your reply. I'm glad that the EA was wrong. I thought so but that stuff does confuse me and he's supposed to be the professional in the field so assumed I might be wrong. I'm glad that I can get the 3 bed rate because rent is certainly not getting any cheaper and all the help I can get is great.

OP posts:
Lizzt2007 · 15/10/2023 12:13

shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 11:37

Hiya. Thanks for your reply. I'm glad that the EA was wrong. I thought so but that stuff does confuse me and he's supposed to be the professional in the field so assumed I might be wrong. I'm glad that I can get the 3 bed rate because rent is certainly not getting any cheaper and all the help I can get is great.

Show quote history

He's an expert in property rental, not benefits.

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 12:15

@Lizzt2007 yes agree with you there. Sometimes I forget that I guess they're not used to the benefit system's necessarily

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 15/10/2023 15:35

How are you going to manage in a two bedroomed property if you have a husband and a carer who need a bedroom each ??

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 15:37

@Babyroobs we already have a huge sofa that is also an everyday use bed so I would stay on there in the living room in the evenings and retract it to sofa from during that days.

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 15/10/2023 15:40

If the 3 bed was for your partner and children you would get your entitlement rather than the number of rooms. However as it for a carer you would only get it if there was an extra room as you have to prove the carer not only needs but is also using the extra room.

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 15:45

@DragonFly98 I don't get what you mean. Are you saying everyone else is wrong that I get the LHA 3 bed regardless of bedroom numbers in the house?

OP posts:
Catlover1705 · 15/10/2023 15:50

In your case, it's different as you have an overnight carer and also need a bedroom for your partner. There must be a bedroom specifically for the carer and for your partner. You would need 3 bedrooms to get 3 bed rate.

Ramdogs · 15/10/2023 15:54

Do you get HB or UC currently and what rate do you get?

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 15:56

@Ramdogs I currently get UC with the hosing element paid through that. I have never received housing benefit.

OP posts:
Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 15:57

@Catlover1705 my carer is not every night, she would only be as and when required overnight basically.

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 15/10/2023 15:57

shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 15:45

@DragonFly98 I don't get what you mean. Are you saying everyone else is wrong that I get the LHA 3 bed regardless of bedroom numbers in the house?

I am saying that because it's for a carer you have to prove you need an extra bedroom and actually have one. For any other circumstances it's the number of bedrooms you are entitled to not what you have that matters.

Ramdogs · 15/10/2023 15:58

Ok so what rate is your UC paid at, the 2 or 3 bed?

DragonFly98 · 15/10/2023 15:59

It's because by your own admission you don't need an extra bedroom for your carer.

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 16:00

@Ramdogs currently I'm in a household of 3 where one person gets housing and the other is working and my third of the rent is covered by UC. I do not get a room rate as I'm only liable for a third of the rent

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 15/10/2023 16:02

shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 16:00

@Ramdogs currently I'm in a household of 3 where one person gets housing and the other is working and my third of the rent is covered by UC. I do not get a room rate as I'm only liable for a third of the rent

But you are married ? therefore it presumably is a joint Uc claim and the rent element is for both of you not just you.

Original poster
shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 16:02

@DragonFly98 but I do need one for my carer although it won't be everyday use and in my property before where I live now I explained to UC that my carer was occasional and I was paid for her space too. Uc told me that as long as she stays sometimes they will take that into account

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 15/10/2023 16:03

shoegirl36 · 15/10/2023 16:02

@DragonFly98 but I do need one for my carer although it won't be everyday use and in my property before where I live now I explained to UC that my carer was occasional and I was paid for her space too. Uc told me that as long as she stays sometimes they will take that into account

So do you have a third person who is working besides the carer who stays occasionally ? Because if so then you still get a bedroom entitlement for the third ( working person) and no non dependent deduction as you are on PIP.