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What happens when you need housing benefit on a rent that includes bills?

The new flat we want to rent has utility bills included in the total rent, we receive housing benefit and I want to know how it will affect our claim. Thanks all - and please, no abuse because I receive benefit - it is possible to do so and work these days!

Public Comments

1. I guess you should really be discussing that with someone who knows like your lacal housing adviser at the council. Try the citizens advise. I suspect that you will not have the full amount as your bills are included but you should be given a fare amount.
2. You will more than likely have to pay the bill element of your rent yourself, nothing to lose trying to claim though!...
3. I'm okay with u working don't worry quite chuffed 4 u ask the local council about this as not all councils will pay housing benefit to cover bills just the basic rent. Well done for getting a job and good luck 4 the future.
4. they work out what proprtion of the rent would go on the bills and disallow that when working out the benefit.
5. On the housing benefit form you are supposed to fill in the amount that's for rent & deduct the bills part, they will want to see a letter from your landlord stating how much of the charge is for rent. The benefits agency will then pay your rent, but you will have to pay the bills part.
6. It should ask on the Housing Benefit form if you the rent you pay includes payment towards gas ect and how much. If i were you i would ask your landlord for a breakdown of your full rent (so how much of what you pay them each week is for rent, gas ect) and talk to a housing benefit officer for advice, you should have a few weeks to gather all the info for your claim. Hope this helps.
7. The form you fill out asks what the rent includes so you list it all there. They will deduct this from the amount you will get paid.
8. Utility bills such as electric and gas that are included in you rent work like this for housing benefit ... they are deducted at a standard rate per week so it is totally irrelevant what you landlord is charging you for them (if you even know at all most landlords do not break this down in the rent) Water bills charged for within your rent are a little different the rent officer (ie/ the person from the inland revenue who values you rent for housing benefit purposes ) makes a decision on this based on the rateable value of you property and this will be included in his decision when he gives it to the local authority... If you are thinking of renting a new private property I would strongly advice you to have a "pre-tenancy " before you sign yourself into the tenancy then not only will you see the deductions that the rent officer makes for utility bills ( they are called ineligible charges by the way ) but also you will see if he feels the rent you landlord is asking is reasonable ..... you can get a pre tenancy form form your local council.... (unless you are in a local housing allowance authority ... they will advise you on this some authorities are pathfinders at present