Housing Benefit advice: rent increase

[Tappetytap]

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

You'll probably get an extra £100 (the difference between current rent and the maximum they will pay)

Also DHP do not need to be paid back but are awarded based on your income and expenditure so if you have £175 pm left ( and £175pm is the rent shortfall) after bills and essentials they will most likely decline you.

Yes as other posters have said; council tax claim is completely separate from HB or UC. Also DHP does not need to be paid back. Lots of paperwork but worth applying - each local authority administers it differently so you might or might not get some help. The only way to find out is to apply.

Oh, spread your council tax over 12 months. You just need to ring up and ask them to do this.

Oh I do hope so. Only having to find an extra 75 a month would be much more doable

@fizzwhizz1

Oh, spread your council tax over 12 months. You just need to ring up and ask them to do this.

I did know this was an option but always kept it at 10 months as we enjoyed the "break" in Feb and March. I'll have to spread it out over 12 months now though.

@NeedsCharging

Also DHP do not need to be paid back but are awarded based on your income and expenditure so if you have £175 pm left ( and £175pm is the rent shortfall) after bills and essentials they will most likely decline you.

I see. I've applied online now and it seemed fairly simple. I just asked for a one off payment of £175 to cover the rent increase while I wait for the HB amendment to be processed. (which can take a few weeks) Really hope they can help us...

@NeedsCharging

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

Thank you. I'll give it a try. I've got nothing to lose eh

@Tappetytap

Oh I do hope so. Only having to find an extra 75 a month would be much more doable

Hi anymore update?