Housing benefit

[speedfreek]

What tomtom said.

 

You need to argue that the rental amount has stayed the same but that you have paid x amount of that in advance.

Say you pay 6 months rent up front - although no money changes hands over that 6 month period your still liable for the rent so.... eligible for housing benefit for that period.

 

See here https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forum-archive/index13b3.html

 

I suggest contacting shelter for advice as it's unclear what arrangements you made with your landlord

 

As long as your contract says x amount then that's what should be paid

[speedfreek]

Potentially, what you have done is akin to benefit fraud, as you are expecting the tax payer to purchase the boiler by keeping the extra housing benefit you would have been receiving whilst paying less rent, unless I am missing something.

 

You should have just gotten the landlord to fulfill his legal obligations and have him pay for it.

 

I disagree somewhat as they are not expecting the tax payer to buy the boiler but the landlord. The landlord who indirectly is being paid by the Council.

 

Say I have a plumbing emergency or the couch breaks..... if when I phone my landlord and they go pay for the plumber or buy a couch and take it off the next rental payment. I wouldn't bat an eyelid as I've done it before.

 

In your example/view I would be committing fraud if I didn't tell the Council that I was paying less that month and the Council then reduced my LHA payment too me for that month.

 

Which is silly as all I've done imho is pre pay that part of the rent in advance with the balance due as normal.

 

Granted where this gets complicated is the reduced rental payment overtime to recoup that outlay but the principle is exactly the same.

 

I'd be looking to appeal any decision on the rental amount and any overpayment if it was me and I'd also try to find help with that challenge.

 

Not that long ago my Council were offing grants for disabled people who privately rented for a free new boiler amongst other things.

 

As for £3000; a new Vokera Vision 30c Combi Gas Boiler (which my plumber raves about and fitted last year in the flat I rent) is just under £700