Moving house

yellowpineapple84

Hi, I rent a room privately and I’m going to be moving again private rent and I don’t know how it works or whether it will affect my support. If it affects the help I get then I guess I will stay put. I receive help via UC with LCWRA element and I also have PIP. When I notify UC journal that I am moving what happens to me and what do I need to send/upload to UC journal?

Thanks

Kimi87

You need to report your move on the day, or ASAP after (the UC system can't handle future changes).

You'll be asked for a tenancy agreement.

The maximum Housing Element you can get will be linked to your Local Housing Allowance rates.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

Stellar

You do a change of circumstances to confirm you've moved house on your account the day your new tenancy starts. You'll be required to submit to them a copy of your tenancy agreement in order to confirm your housing costs.

As you're on PIP, you'll be entitled to the 1-bed Local Housing Allowance rate, even if you're under 35. Try to find a room under that rate so you don't have to pay the difference out of your benefits. This is the only way that your money and support would change if you move.

I recommend you start saving as much money as possible so you can pay the 1st month's rent and deposit upfront. It's difficult, but possible, to find a landlord who accepts benefits, but will get easier once the Renters Reform Bill comes into force on the 1st May. Your local council will have a list of landlords who accept benefits.

Shelter, the housing charity, have fantastic advice for private rentals.

yellowpineapple84

Hi, thank-you to you both for replying and giving this information, this is helpful. As well as the tenancy agreement will I need to show any more proof of address?

yellowpineapple84

I’ve been reading more into it tonight and I feel reluctant to move as it looks like I will be moving council area. But the postcode checker you shared @Kimi87 give me the same amounts as my current postcode and both postcodes fell under the Outer South West London umbrella so I’m a bit confused. I’ve read that if I am in a different council authority through moving then my UC will be treated as a new claim. But if I move within my own council area then it’s not treated as a new claim. I feel very confused and uncertain. Should I speak to someone from UC about it? I don’t really like approaching them though

Kimi87

As you already have an active UC claim then it isn't treated as a new claim if you move regardless if you change council areas.

You simply update them with your new address & housing costs. And upload tenancy when requested.

yellowpineapple84

Thank-you for clarifying 🙂 I don’t really know what I’ve been reading then but I’m heartened by what you say