DSS With A Private Tenant - Advice Please!

Kell_ee001 · 10 Feb 2006 at 19:13

Ok, this situation can be described as complicated at best and a nightmare at worst, but I'll do my best to explain the basic situation I'm in at the moment with a bit of background.

My Mum is on DSS because of health problems and was due to move into a flat next week. This was to coincide with my house being sold and me moving into a house-share. I was meant to be stopping with her for a couple of weeks until about March when my place should be ready but there is a problem - her flat has fallen through.

We now have to find her somewhere to live that the DSS are willing to pay the full rent for. This has proven very difficult to do as they seem to believe she doesn't need to live in a safe area and that a flat the size of a cupboard is suitable. Obviously I want her to be somewhere safe, comfortable and I want her to be happy.

So here is what I'm looking for advice on - if we got a place together would she still get the same DSS benefits? I know I would have to pay the full council tax (if she was alone she would be exempt) but what about the rest? Would they still pay the same amount of rent for example or claim that I should pay all of it as I'm her daughter?

Obviously I would like to aim these questions at the DSS but they don't open till Monday! Any info you can give me (or advise on how to approach the DSS for the best results

) would be greatly appreciated!

Matblack · 10 Feb 2006 at 19:16

Will housing benefit be affected if I am related to my tenant?

If a tenant rents accommodation from a close relative (i.e. parent, son, daughter, step- parent, step-son or daughter, parent in law, son/daughter-in-law brother/sister or partner of any of these people) and the landlord also lives in the property housing benefit cannot be paid towards the rent.

http://www.walsall.gov.uk/index/community_and_living/benefits/landlords_and_benefits_faqs.htm#8294

Sorry

MB

manor · 10 Feb 2006 at 19:17

removed

Kell_ee001 · 10 Feb 2006 at 19:19

Matblack said:
Sorry

MB

But she wouldn't be renting from me, she'd be renting with me.

dirtydog · 10 Feb 2006 at 19:23

They would take into account the entire household income so if you are working full time then you'd most likely get zero housing benefit unless you are on a low wage.

Kell_ee001 · 10 Feb 2006 at 19:24

I do work full time but my wage sucks - however, after seeing how much they think she can live on, they would probably consider me rich

dirtydog · 10 Feb 2006 at 19:27

I can't say whether you'd get any HB or not as it depends on the rents in your area and what the local council pays.. HB levels are set locally unlike other benefits which are the same everywhere in the country. As you're up north then I am quite sure you would get zero HB if you work full time, even if you are on minimum wage. In the south on the other hand you can get quite a lot of HB on min. wage as you need it due to the high rents.

paul@ · 10 Feb 2006 at 20:53

All depends on your income

pegasus1 · 8 Apr 2006 at 23:28

Kell_ee001 said:
Ok, this situation can be described as complicated at best and a nightmare at worst, but I'll do my best to explain the basic situation I'm in at the moment with a bit of background.

My Mum is on DSS because of health problems and was due to move into a flat next week. This was to coincide with my house being sold and me moving into a house-share. I was meant to be stopping with her for a couple of weeks until about March when my place should be ready but there is a problem - her flat has fallen through.

We now have to find her somewhere to live that the DSS are willing to pay the full rent for. This has proven very difficult to do as they seem to believe she doesn't need to live in a safe area and that a flat the size of a cupboard is suitable. Obviously I want her to be somewhere safe, comfortable and I want her to be happy.

So here is what I'm looking for advice on - if we got a place together would she still get the same DSS benefits? I know I would have to pay the full council tax (if she was alone she would be exempt) but what about the rest? Would they still pay the same amount of rent for example or claim that I should pay all of it as I'm her daughter?

Obviously I would like to aim these questions at the DSS but they don't open till Monday! Any info you can give me (or advise on how to approach the DSS for the best results ) would be greatly appreciated!

My other half is a Senior Benafits Officer and would be able to advise on this, she is out at the mo (House warming for workfriends) but tomorrow i'll get her to have a look at this, i've a feeling she wont be comfy talking about it on the threads so it may go private email but if she can help i'm sure she will.
She will prob need more info though.
No promissis but i'll ask her.