Can I request information about my LHA tenants from the Council?

Can I request information about my LHA tenants from the Council?

15:28 PM, 16th July 2014, About 11 years ago 38

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I have a vague idea at the back of my mind that the council will give me more information about my LHA tenants if I get the to fill in and sign a form.

Anyone know what its called – or am I dreaming?

Cheers
Allaninformation


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Robert M

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23:53 PM, 20th July 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Private Landlord" at "20/07/2014 - 23:19":

I will send a copy to Neil in the next few days, (as my current version is held on a different computer).

The DWP will not backdate for the 8 week period, or any other period, they will start the deductions from the date they determine the request. Also be aware that if the claimant gets sanctioned (JSA/ESA stopped), then the deductions will also stop and you will have to submit a new request letter.

This should always be used in conjunction with getting the HB paid direct to the landlord. In cases where the HB covers the full rent, then this DWP deduction will gradually bring down the total arrears. Even though it's at such a low repayment rate, it may be better than evicting the tenant (at great cost, then having the void period, and costs of re-letting, etc).

If it gets to the point where it brings the total arrears down below 8 weeks then you can still get the HB paid direct to you on the basis of the historic actions of the tenant (non-payment of rent), and/or based on the tenant's vulnerability.

In relation to having to pay back anything received after the tenant has moved out, this certainly applies to HB received, but it has never been requested from me by the DWP for the direct deductions from the claimant's JSA/ESA. Therefore, if the claimant does not notify the DWP of their change of address then the deductions may continue indefinitely, (it could even pay off the arrears in full over time).

helena dolisznyj

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21:22 PM, 29th July 2014, About 11 years ago

Can anyone tell me what letter I will need to convince the lha to pay the 1bedroom rate but for two none related people

I wish to get the 1 bed rate but for 2 people over 35yrs old,
They will have ther own lounge and bedroom
But shared kitchen and bathroom!

Any advise would be helpfule.

Also will lha also pay council tax?

Robert M

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21:37 PM, 29th July 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "helena dolisznyj" at "29/07/2014 - 21:22":

If they are sharing any facilities (kitchen and/or bathroom) then their tenancy is not for a self-contained property, so their Housing Benefit (LHA) will be restricted to the room in shared house rate, each, (except in extremely limited circumstances, which do not appear to apply in this case). Thus, you cannot have the 1 bedroom self-contained rate of LHA for each person.

This is in effect a 2 person (2 room) House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), in which case you as the landlord are responsible for paying the Council Tax (not the residents).

helena dolisznyj

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14:54 PM, 30th July 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Robert Mellors" at "29/07/2014 - 21:37":

I believe that Mike Frisby does courses on this, so you no longer need to set up HMO!

But I was not interested at that time?

I was hoping someone else was already doing this on this forum?

Robert M

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20:07 PM, 30th July 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "helena dolisznyj" at "30/07/2014 - 14:54":

Sorry, I do not understand your comments or what you are now asking.

If you are letting to two individuals on separate occupancy agreements, then this is a HMO (but not one that requires a mandatory licence). In this case you would only get the single room rent rate of LHA for each resident, and the landlord would be responsible for paying the council tax.

If the two people are on just one tenancy agreement, it is a joint tenancy. In this case, if they submit separate HB claims, then the total rent for the whole property is apportioned to each tenant and they are awarded LHA on this basis. In the case of a joint tenancy (of 6 months or more) then the Council Tax is paid by the tenants (or they claim Council Tax Support for this) so the landlord is not responsible for paying the Council Tax during their occupancy.

Robert M

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20:19 PM, 31st July 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Private Landlord" at "20/07/2014 - 23:19":

Hi Private Landlord

Sorry for the delay in providing a copy of this letter, I have now e-mailed it to Neil so that he can pass on a copy to landlords that need it. Please ensure you remove any details specific to my company, and adapt it to your own needs.

Neil Patterson

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12:41 PM, 1st August 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Robert Mellors" at "31/07/2014 - 20:19":

Many thanks Robert 🙂

The document can now be downloaded using this link

https://www.property118.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/DWP-direct-deductions-example-letter.docx

Private Landlord

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12:47 PM, 1st August 2014, About 11 years ago

Thanks very much Robert for taking the time to do this.

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