Private renting whilst claiming housing benefit

[Sincity1993]

Hi guys,
My grandparents are moving to Devon and I currently live in Bromley area, I'm planning to go and visit them as much as possible with my daughter as it's a lovely place. My question is I currently receive housing benefit and I'm in a council property, could I rent somewhere in Devon for somewhere to stay whilst I visit out of my own pocket and still receive housing benefit for my council property?

When you say rent somewhere, do you mean a holiday home for a week at a time or something more long term with a lease agreement?

There is a certain length of time that you can be away from your rented property before you lose your entitlement to HB. I think it's a month, but check with your local Council.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_while_away_from_home

Assuming you’re in England this is the info you need. For a normal length holiday I am not sure I’d bother the Council

So on holiday in the UK is up to 13 weeks

Sorry on holiday in England Scotland or Wales

The list doesn't include if you're renting somewhere else. It says holiday or staying with family or friends. Better check with the Council before you go, OP.

They might query why you're in receipt of HB if you can afford to rent elsewhere out of your own pocket.

Its no longer 13 weeks, it's now 4 weeks

Do you mean like an air B and B?

When did it change to 4 weeks - very unlike shelter to be wrong. They’re normally reliable and clear on advice.

It’s 13 weeks, 4 weeks if abroad.

4 weeks limit is abroad I think? (Unless there are specific circs such as bereavement). Not Devon.

Yes- more detailed explanation
england.shelter.org.uk/legal/benefits/housing_benefit/occupying_the_home/temporary_absences_from_home

The problem is that Council officers often get this sort of query wrong so that’s why I tend to go with someone like Shelter.

for how long it depends if its just a holiday a airbnb is not a problem

Okay thanks for replies , I mean as renting somewhere with an agreed tenancy again with my own money and staying there for long weekends at a time then returning home?

If you can afford that, how come you are receiving Housing Benefit?

That makes no sense , why do you receive HB if you can afford to rent your own place?

Surely if you can afford to rent a ‘holiday home’ you shouldn’t be entitled to HB?!?

So I'm severely disabled and my grandparents are moving to Devon, it's going to be difficult for me to stay at their house overnight as I need certain equipment set up which they will not be able to allocate.
In Devon the private property's are quite cheap, I could rent somewhere for around £200 pm which I would already know accessibility is already in place.

That’s quite a complicated scenario - I would get specialist advice. Do not rely on verbal assurances from the Council or mumsnet advice.

StillDumDeDumming

That’s quite a complicated scenario - I would get specialist advice. Do not rely on verbal assurances from the Council or mumsnet advice.

i agree, my advice go to citizens advice

Where on earth are you looking that rent is £200/month in Devon?! Seems hugely unlikely in my experience of living down this way unless it's an absolute dump of a shared house.

My parents are in Devon and it's very expensive in summer but you can get bargain in winter as they are holiday let's. I don't think you can have a tenancy elsewhere and claim back home but you can rent an Airbnb etc. I know people have been prosecuted for claiming housing benefit when they have somewhere else to live permanently.

You would also have to pay two lots of council tax. I thin you need to think again op.

Also two lots of gas/electricity bill/tv licence. It wouldn’t just be the cost of renting per month.