UC review.

[Mummabadger]

Universal credit review.
In a bit of a situation. Me and my young family had to move out back in November due to repairs leaks etc… it wasn’t a planned thing. I rent privately. The landlord agreed to a rent free period, I receive housing benefit but as I’m on uc I receive the housing element to help towards rent. So back in November I had to quickly find somewhere I just wanted to make sure we had a roof over our heads, My dad passed away in this time also so my family was going through so much. I was still paying bills even council tax while I wasn’t there as the tenancy was left open to return when it was safe to do so. I started using the housing element money to pay for my temporary accommodation but I failed to inform them of this back in November and now I’m concerned I’m going to be in trouble. I still used the money for rent they just didn’t know that I had moved out. It was only supposed to be until January but it got delayed and now I have had confirmation that we are going home this Saturday the 5th!! Does anyone know what will
happen to me once I inform them ? I’m very scared. I feel stupid now that I didn’t inform them but it was only temporary. Any advice would be great! I’ve just got a review also so I’m worried they will see I’m paying rent elsewhere !

thanks

What kind of temporary accommodation was it? Something easily probable, like a hotel, or staying with family/friends?

Bodonka It is a holiday let from letting agents they helped me let it as they are the agent for my home

You could get sanctioned for not reporting a change of circumstances.

What’s does that mean ? Never have had that before ? But I was still entitled to housing benefit ?

I don't know much about it but technically you still had that tenancy, you hadn't officially moved out.
Was the holiday let a similar cost? Or did you profit a lot?

Well you technically broke the rules and so could get into trouble but how would they find out? You're moving back now, your address hasn't changed, they pay the money to you not your landlord. I'd try not to worry.

I didn’t profit any at all. My normal rent to home I always have to put my money towards it as the HB doesn’t cover it and the holiday let is much more so I actually had to use more of my money to be here and when I go home my rent goes up anyway for the improvements so I’ve never profited any of it.

But I have my review and they want 4 months of statements so they will see on my statement ? I get paid the Han so I pay the letting agent and they pay the landlord so they will see the past 4 statements show me paying a different landlord ?

You are right that this will probably flag up queries. Best to be honest.

Yeah I will do that I just was under so much pressure I didn’t think about it