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Original poster

Can you get housing benefit paid to you rather than the landlord?

54 replies

MiaWallace · 01/06/2007 15:16

Can you get housing benefits paid to you directly rather than to the landlord?

I'm planning to move to Exeter in September to go to University. My problem is that because of my dd I won't be able to move into halls.

I'm trying to find somewhere to rent privately but so many letting agents/landlords refuse to accept housing benefits.

I have enough saved for a deposit and a months rent in advance. So if I could get the housing benefits paid to me directly, I wouldn't even need to mention I'm claiming benefits (I will only be receiving housing benefits and child tax credits because of my student loan).

I know it's slightly dishonest and if I was asked directly I would admit that I was entitled to housing benefits. But if I can find somewhere without them needing to know, then I'm more than willing to go along with it.

I'm normally a very honest person but I'm getting desperate. I really don't want to miss out on my Uni place but that's what will happen if I can't find somewhere to live.

OP posts:
maggymay · 01/06/2007 15:43

are you sure you will be entitled to housing benifit when my hubby went to uni back in 2000 even with 4 kids we were not given housing benifit as we had a student loan

MellowMa · 01/06/2007 15:44

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 01/06/2007 15:45

Some councils pay housing benefit directly to the tenant. Here's the caveat: you still have to pass the income test to get the flat in the first place, SO, if you have that level of income required to pass it, you may not qualify for HB.

Also, maggy is right, make sure you qualify for them as a student.

Good luck.

expatinscotland · 01/06/2007 15:45

Mia, some councils don't offer this, some do.

You'd need to check w/the council and ask how HB is paid out to private tenants.

hatrick · 01/06/2007 15:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Rusty · 01/06/2007 15:49

I'm sure you have looked into this, but you do know that Exeter has a (very) small number of family flats on campus?
I'm an Exeter graduate btw (1977) It's a lovely place to study.

NuttyMuffins · 01/06/2007 15:51

They ask for your landlords name and address though don't they ? What if they ring to check how much the rent is or something ??

ILoveCheese · 01/06/2007 15:53

I rent my home from a family friend and when we had to claim HB for a short period last year, the council actually contacted our lanlord for various details, so not sure you could do it without the landlords finding out TBH.

Original poster
MiaWallace · 01/06/2007 16:27

Thanks for all the replies.

As a lone parent I've been told I'll be entitled to recive housing benefits but not income support.

Rusty, I've applied for family accommodation but have been told I'm highly unlikely to get a place because they tend to be taken up by the international students.

Looks like I will need to continue looking for a landlord willing to accept HB.

It just appears that if you are claiming benefits most landlords assume you have a mountain of debt and numerous ASBOs. Just wish I could get somewhere to give me a chance

Sorry full of self pity at the moment.

OP posts:
NuttyMuffins · 01/06/2007 16:28

Have you tried fish4homes ?? They sometimes have landords ads on where they will accept HB.

You are more likely to find one accepting HB in your local property small ads rather than with an agency.

expatinscotland · 01/06/2007 16:28

How about housing association properties?

Some do 'market rent'. You could get a tenancy with them and then apply for HB.

charliecat · 01/06/2007 16:31

Ive filled in a form today for HB and to get it paid straight to the landlord they needed to sign it.
So I just said pay it to me and gave my bank details. there was lots of questions about landlord/who rent from etc, and on the back, above where you sign it it says you allow us to contact bla bla bla including landlord etc........

Original poster
MiaWallace · 01/06/2007 16:34

expat can you explain what 'market rent' is please? Never heard of it before.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 01/06/2007 16:35

Yeah, they usually have to contact the landlord to make sure it's all legit.

We also had to show our tenancy agreement.

expatinscotland · 01/06/2007 16:35

Market rent is full whack rent with no subsidy.

MellowMa · 01/06/2007 16:39

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 01/06/2007 16:43

You should see the prices they want for those pitiful flats, too, Mellow.

It's shocking.

Our days here are numbered, so we just chuckle.

MellowMa · 01/06/2007 16:44

Message withdrawn

lampostposter · 01/06/2007 16:47

This was the only way I was ever going to get out of a refuge so it's what I did.

I filled out the landlord details but also checked the box that meant they (Council) were not permitetd to contact him.

So, they pay me and I then pay him. I took a risk in that I didn't have a pre tenancy dtermination done but they have assessed my property as being a reasonable rent now so I get the full benefit.

I don't think it is dishonesty, it is privacy unless they state up fron no DSS! But then that is as discriminatory as your omission is dishonest!

Original poster
MiaWallace · 01/06/2007 16:52

lamppost can you explain what the pre tenancy determination is?

Sorry I've only recently sepearted and have never had to deal with all this stuff before.

My head is ready to explode

OP posts:
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 01/06/2007 16:55

Have you asked you uni about family accomodation? I know a few of them have studio/ 1 bedroom flats that they allocate to those with children.

Original poster
MiaWallace · 01/06/2007 16:58

I've applied to family accommodation but have been told that they are normally all taken by the international students (they are given priority)

OP posts:
lampostposter · 01/06/2007 17:02

Hi

Really best of luck to you

The pre tenancy thing is where they send an assessment rent officer around to 'garde' the property and see how it fits with their concept of the average rent for the same size property in the area.

If the property is above the average rent then you may get less HB awarded but you may still qualify if the officer determines that this is justified by the condition of the property and your needs. So, if it had full central heating and you have dcs then you might not have a problem with the rent being higher than a similar property that did not have heating (extreme example).

Obv. if it is furnished with luxury items and that is why the rent is high then you will only get what they deem it is worth in terms of essential criteria - measured against personal fininacial circs/eleigibility too, of course.

'Tis very confusing but does sort of make sense.

You can ask the council in that area to tell you what the local reference rate is and then you can try and make sure the property you choose isn't way above that. Generally the council ref. rates are low and you can get away with going for a higher rental and still getting a good award made.

Original poster
MiaWallace · 01/06/2007 17:04

Thanks lamppost. I'm glad things worked out for you. Just need to decide if I'm willing to take the risk and do the same.

OP posts:
lampostposter · 01/06/2007 17:08

To give you an example, my house is £950 pcm but also includes water and elcetricity. It is 3 bedrooms. The local reference rate is about £600 to £800 and yet I still get full benefit bar about £9 a week I have to pay which is for the service charges (elec and water) that HB won't pay.

I was told that £850 would be the MAX the council would pay on a 3 bedrooms but that this was not a guarantee