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Original poster

Stressed, Housing Benefit while moving? Anyone know how it works?

28 replies

TopazQuartz · 11/05/2023 14:10

Hi everyone

I signed with a housing association yesterday, but not moved in yet as its too fast, I only got the call a few days prior that I had the property and I've got a lot of health issues.

The lady said I've got to call utility companies immediately and let them know I've changed address. And also to complete change of circumstances form for housing benefit and then they may pay benefit on both homes till I move.

I am just so confused. I have saved for this time, so if I can't get benefit on two homes I accept that. But I don't want to lose my housing benefit and have to reapply.

I called benefits and they said they will pay benefit from when I move in. But I don't even know that date yet. I remember being told a few years ago that as long as I don't create a 'break' then I'm ok, but then when I asked what that meant I didn't seem to get a clear answer.

Can anyone help? Have I really got to get our beds over there tonight so that we are officially in, so as not to lose housing benefit?

Thanks for any help / advice :-(

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 11/05/2023 15:15

Are you moving within the same local authority ?

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 11/05/2023 15:19

Hi Babyroobs

I am, just 5 mins away...

OP posts:
Iris1976 · 11/05/2023 15:26

They pay in arrears but not at the end of tenancies,so say you move out on the 15th May,they'll pay Hb for old address up to 15th May and maybe a week overlap for both houses if your lucky,but they won't start paying rent at new property until June 15th.I moved last here as like you had to sign with housing association straight away but give 1 months notice at previous address even though they had issued an s21,they gave a week overlap but I still had to find 7 weeks rent to bring me up to date,which I really struggled with as spend all my savings on flooring for th Ha property.

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 11/05/2023 15:57

Iris1976

thanks, I'm just worried as I had to sign yesterday but I don't see me moving for a couple of weeks, I was just worried I had to be moved instantly or there will be a break in my housing benefit.

A man on the phone said 'technically' he should suspend my housing benefit but he won't as the new rent is not much different to the old, so don't worry. But no idea why he should do that anyway. Just don't want to lose it by not knowing how to do this smoothly.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 11/05/2023 15:59

Also the guy I spoke to said I should wait to fill out the change of circumstances form until I know my moving dates.

But I'd move today if I had to, I'd get the main things in, it would be hard with my health and unheaval for everyone though.

OP posts:
ForTheLoveOfSleep · 11/05/2023 16:10

In my experience, once you have a move in date, HB give you a "crossover" week where they will pay for the rent on both properties for one week. After that week they will only pay to the new home.

Blackbyrd · 11/05/2023 16:21

You can claim Overlapping Housing Benefit for up to four weeks. This is a common scenario. Usually people move into their new property straight away unless they are awaiting disability adaptations. Only problem is if the same landlord owns both properties, or if your old property is re-let within the four week period in which case the overlapping benefit will stop. Claim now for your new address but request the overlap giving proof of notice served to your old landlord

Blackbyrd · 11/05/2023 16:23

The date you claim from will be yesterday, the day you signed your new tenancy agreement. But make sure you do your change of circumstances claim this week

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 12/05/2023 02:35

Blackbyrd (love your name btw), yes I would have prepped to move straight away but I only got the call the other day that we actually got the property and with my health it's hard to pull it all together in a day or two.
Plus I need to get someone to fit curtains or blinds and carpet first, especially blinds before we go there. It's only me and little one and I'm just not well enough physically to be hammering, drilling, standing on ladders trying get anything up. Hopefully in time, but just not right now.

The man from the council replies in very brief words but he just stated that they will pay HB on old property until I move. I'm not looking to get it on both, I just don't want to lose it over doing something daft, like missing a timescale or something.

As you can see I'm up way late, I'm stressed and not sleeping. I don't do change well, lol.

I will complete the change of circumstances form but if it asks for a move date I won't necessarily have one. I suppose I can arrange that first and then get the form done. I got the impression the lady that sorted the tenancy agreement just expected me to put down the date that I got the keys as the move in date, but I'm a bit literal and not sure I'm supposed to do that. But as you say most people move in straight away. It was all so sudden though with getting the confirmation.

Thanks for your help :-)

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 12/05/2023 02:56

Fortheloveofsleep, (another great name), thanks, as long as they pay it to the new home we'll be fine, I did prepare for a bit of an overlap.
Just concerned that I cannot move instantly for health reasons I need physical support and have to arrange it. So the move in date that most people use being the date that they get the keys, I haven't used that, wasn't really aware leading up to all this that I would be accepted for the property.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 12/05/2023 12:48

Just one other thing, I was hoping not to have to tell the existing landlord until end of next week as I've had a very difficult time with that landlord over the years (they have a reputation in my area, I'm not one of those people against landlords). I just don't want them making my life hell while I'm planning etc.

Is proof of notice going to be really important? I obviously can give it ultimately, but would rather not have to do it in the next 5 days :-/

OP posts:
Blackbyrd · 12/05/2023 13:23

Hello OP, yes you need to give notice or else how would the Housing Benefit Office know to apply a particular Housing Benefit Regulation? If claims are not assessed properly with evidence, then a council's subsidy claim for reimbursement from central government will fail, and the cost borne by local council tax payers instead. That's the reasoning anyway.
You can only get a maximum of four weeks overlap, starting from Wednesday when you signed up. So if you don't give notice, you're going to have a shortfall in rent with regards to your "old" tenancy and jeopardise your request for overlapping benefit. Your move date is the date you got the keys, as I said this is all very common practice so please don't worry too much.
The main thing is that you will have secure, suitable accommodation but you do need to move in asap. See if your new Housing Officer can offer any assistance. I wish you both every happiness in your new home 💐

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 12/05/2023 13:42

Blackbyrd

I really appreciate your help. I want to do everything correctly that's all and have little support and going through a rough patch atm.

I don't have to pay rent on the place I'm moving from until 27th, so I figured that the notice doesn't have to be given until 26th, latest, as I will have to serve a month anyway from rent date. Not trying to do anything wrong at all, just trying to manage all the elements and because I know the minute notice is given I'll have landlord wanting to get in here and I'd like to have moved first.

I've arranged carpet fitting measuring and blinds measuring for next week and I'll arrange the move for just after that.

I am just wondering if the move date is the date of signing the tenancy? the council guy has said they will just continue the HB on the old property until I move.

I know it's jeopardising the benefit for both properties, but I can handle that for a short while, as long as I don't jeopardise the benefit, ie get it stopped. Am I making sense, lol. Thanks for your support.

OP posts:
Blackbyrd · 12/05/2023 16:29

Hello OP, when you give notice to your current landlord is not related to your rent payment date. The notice can be given whenever. The move date is when you signed your new tenancy as you are liable for rent from that date.
What the council guy could have said is that you should be able to have the rent paid on your old property for up to four weeks. Generally people move into their new property as soon as they can, leaving the old one vacant.
I would not wait to give your existing landlord notice as that is not the normal process, and you will be making yourself liable for rent on the old property beyond the four week notice period. This will just be a waste of money for you at a time when you really need it.
Your request for overlapping benefit needs to be made as soon as you can. Your new Housing Officer will be aware of the procedure, and will have the necessary application form if you cannot do it online. I am sorry that you are going through a rough patch but hopefully in a few weeks everything will be seeming much better for you

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 13/05/2023 14:36

Thanks Blackbyrd, that's helpful and I appreciate your time on this :-) And everyone.

I hope I will be able to move in a week, the quickest I can get blinds measured for is monday. Can't sleep in there without blinds. My health isn't up to doing this instantly, it's not possible unfortunately.

Shelter give useful information, but the bit about disability adaptations (waiting for them, which creates a delay, so HB will pay for the two properties) is the only bit close to what my issue is. But I'm not waiting for adaptations in terms of ramps, etc, just help due to chronic health issues..

I know what you're saying about trying to get the help for both rents Blackbyrd, but really my main concern is just a continuation of housing benefit. Not creating a break (whatever that even means, I don't know and can't seem to get an answer on that one) which would stop it.

OP posts:
OP posts:
Lilbunnyfufu · 13/05/2023 20:23

What does the tenancy say is the start date of tenancy? When we was given a housing association place the tenancy started the following Monday so had to move in by that date and hand keys back for previous place.

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 13/05/2023 21:52

Lilbunnyfufu, thanks it was weds just gone. The housing association couldn't wait so I said I would use savings to pay the small amount of rent for may. But due to health I can't really up and move just like that, I need a week at least. Or I suppose I could just move the main things across and take my time on the rest, so curtains, beds etc. Then the notice period on the old home is still being served so still time to do all the other moving. But that's if I have to to stop HB being threatened, I just don't want it to be discontinued.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 14/05/2023 13:42

I found an old email from some time back when I was looking into this and the council guy said as long as there's no time that you are not in one property or the other there will be no break in benefit.

So I hope that is the case.

OP posts:
Playgrind · 20/05/2023 17:19

Sorry to jump on, but anyone know if that month overlap when you move is the same for UC? @Babyroobs?

Whichnumbers · 20/05/2023 22:00

I have saved for this time, so if I can't get benefit on two homes I accept that. But I don't want to lose my housing benefit and have to reapply.

you can apply to have HB paid on 2 properties as soon as you move, and state the overlap of 2 properties was unavoidable

are the two properties with the same HA or different HA?

your CoC as soon as possible and move asap

also inform ctax as you’ll have to pay full ctax on one of the two properties, as council tax relief will only apply to one property and you’ll not get the 75% discount as the property will be empty

Whichnumbers · 20/05/2023 22:03

Or I suppose I could just move the main things across and take my time on the rest, so curtains, beds etc.

as soon as you’re sleeping in the new property they’ll start paying the overlap, regardless of what other furniture is in the other property

ladywriter1968 · 28/06/2023 12:44

Hi, We have recently moved half a mile down the road with same borough and the council have stopped my housing benefit on my old property and now got to claim again on new property. I thought as same borough they could have just transfer it all over tbh. Now got all the headache of starting again applying for housing benefit and ctax reduction. its crazy.

ladywriter1968 · 28/06/2023 12:45

We moved half a mile down the road with same borough, yet they cancelled my house bens and ctax reduction and now got to start it all over again. its crazy. I thought would just be an address transfer but no.

ladywriter1968 · 28/06/2023 12:48

When we moved the council gave us just two days thats all, it was all a mad rush. They said if we took a week they would charge us rent on both properties, I thought they should at least give a weeks notice to give people a chance to arrange to move. Before we moved into this property it had been empty since christmas. After viewing he said you will have to move in this week. I felt ill with it all. So rushed and also not well myself. Then since we moved in we had a gas leak where council hadnt done any checks since 2019. And been without cooking facilities and no gas for over a week as they had to cut it off as it was leaking.