How does housing benefit work when your house is bigger than you need?

[ProtegeMoi]

We are currently in a council property, 3 beds which is what we are assessed as needing and claim housing benefit so all our rent is paid.

My son is severely disabled and really needs his own room, its becoming harder and harder. I realise we are not entitled to a 4 bed house and that's fair enough.

What I am wondering is if we were to get a 4 bed house privately rented how would the housing benefit work?

The 3 bed rate they are willing to pay is actually more than the 4 bed house we are currently looking at so does that mean they will continue to pay it all or will they deduct an amount for the 4th bed that we have pay? In which case how much would this be?

We need to know if we can afford to do this before going ahead.

I think they pay what you're entitled to regardless so you should get 3 bed rate even if in a 4 bed.

as I understand it, the benefit you are paid does not relate to the size of the house you rent; if you can make up the difference out of your own money, that's fine. If you can afford it out of the HB, even better!

the issue will be finding a landlord who takes HB, not because there's anything wrong with you but because many buy-to-let mortgages and landlord insurances do not allow it.

Yep, they will pay the Local Housing Allowance for a 3 bed property, check your local council website for the applicable rates

Great, have managed to find that and the house we are looking at is 4 beds and less than the 3 bed rate so should all be paid is that right?

Will make such a difference to my son to have his own room.

Have found a house that will take housing benefit, was hard work though!