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Original poster

Housing Benefit advice: rent increase

34 replies

Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 18:57

Hi there,

I am looking for a bit of advice Re whether or not we would be likely to get any further HB help because our rent has increased.
For background, we rent privately. In the 10 years we have been here, we have been on a rolling contract and the rent has stayed the same. (We know we've been incredibly lucky with this arrangement).
Recently, the landlord said that although we are his best tenants the current rental price has become untenable for him and he needs to up the rent from 575 to 750 pcm. He gave us a month's verbal notice. As we didn't have a contract and didn't want to be homeless we signed the new contract. I checked online and it appears the rental prices have gone through the roof in our city and he could get £850 for this little house, so even though its a £175 increase its still below the market value.
We currently get a bit of help towards the rent. We are entitled to £180 a month towards it based on our earnings. I'm wondering now the rent had gone up will the council help us some more to make up a bit of the 175 increase?
I looked on the councils website and it said they'll help up to £675 a month maximum but what does this mean? I don't understand how it all works at all...
Thanks in advance

OP posts:
tootyfruitypickle · 01/01/2022 19:05

The housing rate in many areas doesn't cover rents fully, I think it's set to cover the lowest third of local rents but in practice often falls far below this.

Original poster
Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 19:17

The housing rates are way off. We qualify for a 3 bed house and you would really struggle to get a 3 bed for that price even in a less desirable area if the city.
So will the council not give us any more help? No idea where we are finding an extra 175. We already live incredibly frugally.

OP posts:
Enterthewolves · 01/01/2022 19:22

You may well get more help, use www.entitledto.co.uk/ to see what you could be eligible for. You put your area in so it will use the correct ‘broad market rental area’ so it knows the maximum amount rent that will be looked at.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 01/01/2022 19:23

I am not sure exactly how it works if you are working, but you might be entitled to a bit more as your old rent was below the £675 maximum.

You just need to log in to your online account and tell them that your rent has increased. There should be a section which under HB to allow you to do this. They will then probably ask for a copy of the agreement by post or by email. They will then calculate if you are entitled to any more help.

Original poster
Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 19:44

@ILoveAllRainbowsx

I am not sure exactly how it works if you are working, but you might be entitled to a bit more as your old rent was below the £675 maximum.

You just need to log in to your online account and tell them that your rent has increased. There should be a section which under HB to allow you to do this. They will then probably ask for a copy of the agreement by post or by email. They will then calculate if you are entitled to any more help.

I submitted the rental increase on the website and scanned in the copy of the new contract but the council are notoriously slow at responding so I came on here in the hope of easing my anxiety while I wait. Plus, it seems even the people on the HB helpline don't understand how it's all worked out. It's like it's a deliberately obtuse and confusing way of calculating something.... I hope you are right and because I was only paying 575 they might increase it a bit because the limit is 675 in this area...
OP posts:
Original poster
Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 19:45

@Enterthewolves

You may well get more help, use www.entitledto.co.uk/ to see what you could be eligible for. You put your area in so it will use the correct ‘broad market rental area’ so it knows the maximum amount rent that will be looked at.
I'll take a look thank you
OP posts:
anonforpost · 01/01/2022 19:50

Thanks all. Very impartial information. I will offer 570 + half the real childcare cost. I hope this keeps the good relations.

TwoBlueFish · 01/01/2022 21:12

They will look at your Local Housing Allowance (LHA), if you qualify for a 3 bed and the max amount is £675 then that will be the maximum they will pay. The amount you actually get will probably depend on your household income. Do you get the full £575 paid at the moment?

Lennybenny · 01/01/2022 21:19

I would assume if they pay £180 now they'll increase in line with whatever percentage they used for the £180, roughly a 1/3 of £675 if that's the max in your area. So they should increase to about £225 but that's it, the shortfall is yours.

oviraptor21 · 01/01/2022 21:23

lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/ will show your local housing allowance which will be the maximum housing benefit you will be entitled to.

Original poster
Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 21:35

@TwoBlueFish

They will look at your Local Housing Allowance (LHA), if you qualify for a 3 bed and the max amount is £675 then that will be the maximum they will pay. The amount you actually get will probably depend on your household income. Do you get the full £575 paid at the moment?
We get £180 of the £575 paid because we work but low income
OP posts:
Original poster
Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 21:38

@Lennybenny

I would assume if they pay £180 now they'll increase in line with whatever percentage they used for the £180, roughly a 1/3 of £675 if that's the max in your area. So they should increase to about £225 but that's it, the shortfall is yours.
Thank you for this. So they'll give us an extra £45 a month and we'll have to make up the extra £125. That's a big amount on a small income isn't it. I've looked on rightmove and there is ONE property on the whole of rightmove for £675 that's a 3 bed. Thats ONE property in the whole city. Their housing allowance is way off the market
OP posts:
Babyroobs · 01/01/2022 22:35

You could always speak to citizens advice and see if they will do you a calculation for Universal credit as some people are better off on UC especially if they have rent to pay. Definitely worth a check.

Original poster
Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 22:57

@Babyroobs

You could always speak to citizens advice and see if they will do you a calculation for Universal credit as some people are better off on UC especially if they have rent to pay. Definitely worth a check.
That's a really good idea I'll do that for sure thank you. I was told by a friend that its better to stay on legacy benefits as Universal Credit is a nightmare Re paperwork and a 5 week wait for first payment. I have no idea how UC works though tbf so I need to research it
OP posts:
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 01/01/2022 23:00

I'm surprised you got anything at all if you didn't have a contract.

Babyroobs · 01/01/2022 23:05

Uc is much simpler when all set up, but you do need to check you will be better off. If you do switch then you would get a two week run on of housing benefit and you can take an advance payment. The taper rates and work allowances for UC have just changed making working people better off. There is no paperwork on UC, it is all managed via an online journal. It is an easy application to make and you would need to upload your tenancy agreement.

Babyroobs · 01/01/2022 23:05

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

I'm surprised you got anything at all if you didn't have a contract.
Yes I was thinking this !!
Original poster
Tappetytap · 01/01/2022 23:07

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

I'm surprised you got anything at all if you didn't have a contract.
I had a years contract when I first applied for HB but it's just rolled on for the last 9 years from the original contract. The council never asked me to keep getting a new contract signed... I guess because I had proof originally?
OP posts:
oviraptor21 · 02/01/2022 00:25

You don't need a contract. Just some kind of proof that you are liable for or can be treated as liable to pay the rent.
You should get a 2 week run on of the housing benefit which would tide you over until UC gets paid. And in any case you should time your claim so that it fits well with your salary dates.
Most people in work are a little better off on UC unless eligible for disability elements. But definitely take advice before making a switch to make sure.
If you stay on HB the calculations are complicated but I believe you should get an increase equivalent to the difference in the amount you currently pay for rent and the LHA amount (assuming that what you currently pay is less than LHA).
The benefit calculators mentioned above can give you estimates for both legacy benefits and UC.

Original poster
Tappetytap · 02/01/2022 06:40

@oviraptor21

You don't need a contract. Just some kind of proof that you are liable for or can be treated as liable to pay the rent. You should get a 2 week run on of the housing benefit which would tide you over until UC gets paid. And in any case you should time your claim so that it fits well with your salary dates. Most people in work are a little better off on UC unless eligible for disability elements. But definitely take advice before making a switch to make sure. If you stay on HB the calculations are complicated but I believe you should get an increase equivalent to the difference in the amount you currently pay for rent and the LHA amount (assuming that what you currently pay is less than LHA). The benefit calculators mentioned above can give you estimates for both legacy benefits and UC.
Thank you for this. This is so useful. I do have a contract now, I've just signed a 6 month one but for years the original contract just rolled on. I guess the landlord got us to sign a new one because of the rent increase. If I do the benefits calculator will it automatically put me onto UC or is it just a guide and I'm not commited to it?
OP posts:
Sparkle123r · 02/01/2022 08:59

Look at universal credit essentials. It's a manual calculation that is far more reliable than the turn to us/entitled to one's. There is a forum where you can ask questions etc. Doing a calculation will not automatically move you over.

Be aware that there is a 5 week wait for payment once a universal credit application is made, and if you add claiming tax credits this will stop during that time. You will also need to consider when to make an application. Uc essentials normally advise not to do in within the last few days/beginning of a month (or date of pay) to minise any issues with automated retrieval of income

fizzwhizz1 · 02/01/2022 20:51

Would you be eligible for discretionary housing payment? Administered by your local authority if you can prove why you need the extra money. Also if you're on a low income are you getting a council tax reduction? Again you have to apply separately for this from you local authority. Lastly, its worth putting your name down on the housing list. If you're on a low income you'll qualify but will be banded low. However, if you were ever evicted you would be moved to a higher priority. Good luck!

Original poster
Tappetytap · 02/01/2022 22:21

@fizzwhizz1

Would you be eligible for discretionary housing payment? Administered by your local authority if you can prove why you need the extra money. Also if you're on a low income are you getting a council tax reduction? Again you have to apply separately for this from you local authority. Lastly, its worth putting your name down on the housing list. If you're on a low income you'll qualify but will be banded low. However, if you were ever evicted you would be moved to a higher priority. Good luck!
I'll have a look into that discretionary housing payment thank you. Is it something you pay back? We tried some years back to get a council tax reduction but no joy. It seems like you have to earn next to nothing to get a reduction. I will try again though. Council tax keeps going up every year and it's quite a big bill these days (£150 a month). We do have a break though Feb and March as you pay it over 10 months. I guess itll all be going on the rent now. Re all the housing lists they won't let you join unless you've got a section 21. I really don't fancy that at all.
OP posts:
Original poster
Tappetytap · 03/01/2022 08:04

Is it worth trying to put in a claim for council tax help again? If so, do I add it to my existing housing benefit claim or do I start a new claim? I'm worried that they'll say I have to go on UC if I even try and put in a claim?
I have paid all the council tax for 2021 as they do it over 10 months here so when do I try and submit a claim? Just before April?
Thanks in advance

OP posts:
NeedsCharging · 03/01/2022 17:58

Council tax is separate from HB so you can make a CTS claim and it will not affect your HB claim.