Concerned our landlord may evict us if he knows we're applying for housing benefits

[Numberfour]

can our landlord do that? we have been struggling to keep head above water for about 6 months and now can no longer do it alone. so as much as i don't want to do this, i am applying for housing and council tax benefit.

we rent privately and have done for 4 years 6 months. our landlord is very decent and understanding. but i am worried that if the council contacts him, he may become disgruntled and give us notice.

can he do that? does anyone have any other advice for a first time HB applicant but at the relief it could bring........

It is not about the tenants insurance it is to do with the validity of Landlords Insurance if there should be a clause in the policy regarding tenenats who claim benefits.

inscotland - very true. Obviously depends on the contents of the policy that the landlord has.

However, legally, the OP is not under a duty to disclose the receipt of HB - hopefully the landlord's policy covers it. Furthermore, I don't see how an insurance company could find out the tenants' financial affairs, nor would they dig into that area if the family is working anyway.

Ethically - who knows? What I do know, however, is that it is extremely difficult to find property to rent in the private sector if you happen to be in receipt of Housing Benefit. There's virtually a blanket ban by all letting agents. No-one wants to touch you with a bargepole. Therefore, I never disclose it. With such an anti-HB attitude, you can't blame people for keeping quiet about receiving it.

inscotland, sorry you are feeling so frustrated with me! like i said, it is all new to me. a learning experience. and i came on here to find out what to do. any advice is welcome, and reminding me that assessors go to enormous lengths before processing a claim...... that had slipped my mind.

I am a landlord and my BTL mortgage says I can't accepy housing benefit. However, if I had long term good tenants I wouldn't want to lose them so in this instance would probably accept HB.

greatfun, if you knew your long term tenants were getting HB after nearly 5 years, would you then tell your insurance co?

Not at you numberfour. Was a bit frustrated and those telling you not to advise your landlord. With the credit crunch insurance assessors are going the extra bit to ensure that policies and people match what has been declared. We're having work done to our own home after my husband left the en-suite tap running and caused a flood. The questions we were asked were very, very detailed and they asked to see lots of paperwork. They've checked up on the tradesmen we got into quote for the work and he was able to check our insurance history through his computer at the house when we were talking.

We spoke about insurance in general and he told us people are fraudulently claiming left right and centre because of the credit crunch so extra precautions are being taken and additional steps made to seek out those naughty claims.