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Original poster

What happens now?

25 replies

babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 15:02

Hello! So basically I've been bidding on home choice for flats and I've had a call from the council today to say they've put me forward as the only applicant to the landlord to be assessed for the property, so happy!!

What happens now? It's quite a lot in rent (£700) as it's a new build but I live alone and have no kids so I'd be able to claim for help with rent. Will they accept this when we discuss? I'm really worried they're going to turn me down and say it's too much money for me. I earn about £550 from my job but I only work part time as I have kidney failure. Does anyone know what I should expect? Tia. X

OP posts:
Original poster
babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 16:12

Anyone Blush really worried 😂

OP posts:
Frenchfemme · 24/09/2021 16:26

Congratulations on the offer! Sorry, no advice to offer but just wanted to wish you luck.

Original poster
babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 16:27

@Frenchfemme

Congratulations on the offer! Sorry, no advice to offer but just wanted to wish you luck.
Thank you 😌✨❤️
OP posts:
iloverainandrainbows · 24/09/2021 16:40

How old are you? This matters for claiming HC. Do you already claim UC?

NoSquirrels · 24/09/2021 16:45

Do you earn £550 a month in total? Presumably you get benefits too?

Original poster
babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 16:53

@iloverainandrainbows I am 23 and no I don't already claim universal credit or any other benefits. Just my wage from my 16 hours at the moment.

@NoSquirrels yes that's my income and no I don't claim any other benefits. Smile

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 24/09/2021 17:06

Are you entitled to PLP or similar due to your illness? If not, any income related benefits will assume you work full time or just about.

Otherwise I can't see how you can afford this flat. Unless you can get a lodger?

BarbaraofSeville · 24/09/2021 17:06

PIP, not PLP that is.

Dyrne · 24/09/2021 17:08

Plug your details into www.entitledto.co.uk/ to see what support you could get.

Are you looking to claim PIP for your kidney issues? Have a look at related charities that may be able to give you some support and advice in this area (www.kidneycareuk.org ?)

Original poster
babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 17:09

@BarbaraofSeville

Are you entitled to PLP or similar due to your illness? If not, any income related benefits will assume you work full time or just about.

Otherwise I can't see how you can afford this flat. Unless you can get a lodger?

Do you know about universal credit? I did a benefits calculator and it said I'd get help but I just wanted to know if social housing landlords will be ok with this
OP posts:
Original poster
babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 17:11

I didn't post this for advice about benefits, I know what kind of help I'm looking at! I can't apply for pip I've tried. I just wanted to know what the process is now and what benefits they'll accept me as a tenant whilst claiming

OP posts:
JaneLivesHere · 24/09/2021 17:15

I've read your question over and over again but I'm still lost. You don't want to ask about benefits but you want to ask "what benefits they'll accept me as a tenant whilst claiming".

Did the benefits calculator not tell you what benefits you may be entitled to?

Original poster
babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 17:18

@JaneLivesHere

I've read your question over and over again but I'm still lost. You don't want to ask about benefits but you want to ask "what benefits they'll accept me as a tenant whilst claiming".

Did the benefits calculator not tell you what benefits you may be entitled to?

Yes, I don't need to know what benefits I could get because I already know but I'd like to know if they're likely to accept me whilst claiming benefits to help pay the cost of the rent they are asking for. It says I could claim UC.
OP posts:
PlanDeRaccordement · 24/09/2021 17:18

Oh, are you asking whether landlord will refuse you because you intend to claim benefits? Since it’s a council managed property, I don’t think that will be an issue? It certainly is in the private rental sector of U.K. though.

Original poster
babypleasenow · 24/09/2021 17:21

@PlanDeRaccordement

Oh, are you asking whether landlord will refuse you because you intend to claim benefits? Since it’s a council managed property, I don’t think that will be an issue? It certainly is in the private rental sector of U.K. though.
Thank you!! this is the answer I was looking for and also to know if anyone else is in a similar position or knows the process after being put forward to a landlord. Smile
OP posts:
hopeishere · 24/09/2021 17:23

So you earn £550 pm and the rent is £700. So do the benefits cover all of that? Are there any other costs you need to factor in?

Wtfdoipick · 24/09/2021 17:27

There is a risk that the landlord could refuse you due to insufficient income. It's not that you receive benefits but that the benefits won't provide enough additional income to pass the affordability check.

JaneLivesHere · 24/09/2021 17:33

What are the rents like where you live? Is this a more expensive place because of the area or just the new build? Has it only got one bedroom?

It's private landlords who sometimes don't accept people on benefits because of their mortgages.

It's much more money than your income so I agree the LL might be concerned about that. How will you pay for everything else?

MilduraS · 24/09/2021 17:43

I'm no expert but I think they could reject your application if you aren't in receipt of benefits right now. New claims can take quite a while to process so if the property is ready now, they'd be looking at a period of no occupancy and no income while you sort out your finances.

ok1more · 24/09/2021 17:45

There are really good Facebook pages for
Help with this kind of thing. Search UC help or similar and join them. They're very knowledgeable friendly.

titchy · 24/09/2021 17:49

I would guess it would depend on what the housing rate for shared accommodation in your area is, and whether you can afford the difference on your salary.

Overwhelmedagain · 24/09/2021 21:34

Sounds like a chat with CAB or your local council's welfare rights service would be useful

Babyroobs · 24/09/2021 22:52

Universal credit would pay you a rent element but unless you have PIP in place you would only get the shared accommodation rate for your area. so you really need to find out what this is because it's different for each area and then you could work out what help you would get.

Babyroobs · 24/09/2021 22:53

@MilduraS

I'm no expert but I think they could reject your application if you aren't in receipt of benefits right now. New claims can take quite a while to process so if the property is ready now, they'd be looking at a period of no occupancy and no income while you sort out your finances.
It is around five weeks for a Uc claim to process. new applicants are offered an advance payment to help pay the rent in the meantime.
Saladd0dger · 24/09/2021 23:03

Hi op. Fingers crossed for you. As far as I’m aware universal credit will pay all the rent on council/housing association properties. Go over to universal credit essentials website and chat to admin. You sound like you should be claiming the new style ESA part of universal credit as you are poorly. It’s up to the housing association if the except you, they do take benefits into account on affordability checks

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