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?

Would it just be cheaper to book into an accessible room at a local travelodge if there is one near your parents.sunday and Monday nights are often cheaper and they have special deals on sometimes. Whereabouts in Devon, its lovely there, bromley is nice too.

Sorry, but where in Devon can you rent a place for the two of you for £200 p/m? I know a fair bit of pretty well, and can't picture it. Tbh, you'd be taking the piss.

Youd have bills to pay if you rented plus insurance.

£200/month? That can't be right. Your either entitled to HB or your not, so if your not getting it now, you won't get it on a second home

Sorry I see you are getting it now, but if you can afford to rent a second property then I don't see how you would qualify to be honest. You need to ring council and ask?

First off where in Devon can you get a place for £200 pcm? We live in Devon (and not a particularly expensive part) and the only place I know that cheap is a sleezy bedsit that used to be a drug den.

If you can afford that, then I suspect if the council who pay you hb found out they would legitimately feel that you were taking the piss...if you can afford a second home, surely you should be paying more towards your current rent?

I had a look on Rightmove briefly as I'm a saddo, and the cheapest on there was £260, for a room in a shared house. No kids allowed.

Right firstly, as far as ' Taking the piss! ' the reason I asked is because I wouldn't want to get in any trouble and was just enquiring so I didn't take the piss. Obviously I didn't look well enough to get a proper price range for properties in Devon plus I could not afford that!
Hotels or air b m b is the best way for me.
I have a serious condition and only apply for what I need and entitled too unlike these people that just take advantage of council and benefits because then people that actually deserve it suffer.
My situation is bit more complex than just going away for weekend so was just trying to look into other options as I'm very close to my grandparents.

OP- I hope you got some ideas anyway. I’m sure it wasn’t meant to be quite so blunt. I used to Welfare Rights Advisor - too long ago to be any help. But yes, you would only get benefit that you’re entitled to, so not taking the piss. Most definitely not. I think for some pp it was the idea that you could be on benefit and rent 2 properties but you’ve now cleared that up. I think you’ll get something suitable and accessible. Good Luck.

Housing benefit isn't just about how much money you have coming in, if you get certain benefits, you qualify for full housing benefit even though you may have lots of money coming in. When I first claimed housing benefit, I was still working but not earning much, I had to pay half my rent & all my council tax, I was a single parent, after paying rent & all my bills, I had less than £50 to feed & clothe myself & my son a week. Now I'm on benefits & a pension from work, I could afford to pay all my rent & council tax but qualify for full benefit. It's part of the crazy rules of the benefit system.

Thankyou @wigglypiggly @StillDumDeDumming yes will have to look into other options, hotels are most obvious. Devon is lonely can't wait to make more visits!

Hotel rooms are not the same as renting a second home

Definitely get specialist advice- you don't want to risk your tenancy by being away too long or too often.

@CatGoals no I'm saying that hotels etc are my only option.