Housing Benefit

[djtdjt]

On the benefit application form it asks questions about the landlord, do the council automatically contact the landlord? Obviously I would rather he did not know about me wanting to claim benefits, any advice. TIA.

[bazwillrun]

Normally they dont.
They will want to see a tenancy agreement that has yours and the landlords signatures though.

I am a "landlord" and one of my tenants is a close friend so I was aware of his situation, and I have never been contacted.

[ummmm]

Same as Baz...I was never contacted.

[bazwillrun]

Forgot to say, lot of landlords are more than happy to have benefits tenants because they tend to default less with the rent.

Forgot to say, they will also ask to see proof that the rent is being paid, bank statement etc

[tonywiltshire]

I agree with what has been said your Landlord should not be made aware of you claiming benefits, the money for housing benefit, which is now subject to local housing allowance, is usually paid direct to you rather than the landlord. Benefits are there to assist those in genuine need, I feel nothing but contempt for those who abuse the system, but no shame should be attached to those who make a genuine claim due to their circumstances.

[rowanwitch]

The only issue might be if the property was initially advertised as strictly no DSS /benefits I know at least one person who includes this in his contracts.

[Eve]

Could also be an issue if their mortgage conditions state no DSS.

[cassa333]

As long as you have enough money to pay the rent until the HB kicks in you should be fine.

Other wise you will have a bit of explaining to do.

[cassa333]

Bazwillrun,

I had a tenant who claimed HB and she was the worse tenant I ever had. She stopped paying the rent when she realised she would be rehouse by the LA and trashed my house to the tune of a couple of grand.

[bazwillrun]

You were unlucky, I have, and have had a fair few tenants and never had a problem.
I select all my tenants myself, I dont use an agency, prefer to do it myself.