Benefits question

[Scarlett]

I am soon to move out of my house and rent it out whilst I do a course further away. One of the reasons for doing this is that I am having to work really hard and push myself just to pay the mortgage- it has gone up so much now that I can't really afford to live in my own house anymore. So I am going to rent a room instead whilst being a student. I also get ill a lot- with my ulcerative colitis and related arthritis. Plus you may know my voice has seized up. Am I right in thinking that if I get too ill to work, I would be able to claim housing benefit whilst renting a room? I know you can't get help with your mortgage for 9 months if you are too ill to work, but would the benefits system see my rented house as "income" even though the rent won't even cover the mortgage?
Thanks

[Ethel]

Yes, the will count the rent you get as income.

You want other people to pay your mortgage, and the council to pay your rent. Good plan.

[bednobs]

of course it would. Means tsted benefits are for people who have nothing, not people who have assessts like houses. if you cant afford your mortgage, then you would be expected to sell your house before getting housng benefit wouldn't you?

[david small]

Soory Scarlett, it would count as income. Do not get repossed, sell the property if you must. If you have over �12,000 they will not give you benefits. Google benefit allowances. Good luck.

[Whoever]

I don't know how much rental you would receive from renting out your house but I know there is a tax free annual allowance of �4250 for renting out a room in your house. I don't know whether you would be entitled to deduct that amount from any declared income when it comes to applying for benefits.