Housing/ benefits

Kerry2024

Hi

Me and my family are relocating from Devon to Worcester, could anyone please tell me the maximum housing benefit in that area? I'm currently out of work as I'm ill with Crohn's disease and claiming pip and universal credit/ lcwra. Another problem is struggling to find a rental property due to landlords not accepting people on DSS without a guarantor who earns at least,£24k! My dad's willing to be a guarantor however as he's recently retired he no longer earns that amount. I've been renting with my current landlord for 14 years and never once missed a payment, are potential landlords not willing to accept references instead of guarantors/ 6 monthly payments up front? Any suggestions? Thanks all in advance 😊

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Kerry2024, there's a calculator here to work out how many bedrooms your family would be entitled to:

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

And then you can work out the LHA rate for the correct amount of bedrooms using this tool:

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

If you don't have a postcode area, you can select Worcester from the local authority drop down menu. Hopefully that'll give you an idea of what you might be able to claim ☺️

Unfortunately, it can be a bit rough trying to find landlords who will accept people on benefits. You could try OpenRent where you speak directly to landlords. Or you might like to speak to the council of the area you're moving into to see if they have a list of contacts. There are some tips on Shelter's website here:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/how_to_find_landlords_who_accept_benefits

It may just be a case of just trying to contact lots of different agents and landlords until you find one that's supportive. I hope you're able to find somewhere soon.

Biblioklept

It depends on how many bedrooms rate you are entitled to @Kerry2024

I had the same trouble with not having guarantor or 6 months upfront and ended up in housing association housing because I couldn't get anywhere to rent to me, even when working full time and having good credit!! 😕

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Out of interest, where did that £24k come from? That sounds low for a guarantor to me. The guarantor needs to be able to cover all of their own costs, plus your rent on top if you couldn't pay. I'd need 2x guarantors in my area just for a 1 bed property.

Unfortunately references don't mean much anymore, I've rented for over 10 years and never missed a payment, but private landlords don't want me in their properties either.

Kerry2024

Hi all

Thanks everyone for your replies. Much appreciated.

It was a estate agent that quoted £24k regarding a property I had applied for.

Thanks once again everyone 😊

Kerry2024

Ps would housing associations accept me without not already living on the area?

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1097557#Comment_1097557

Usually you need to have a link to the area already, such as family members or work.

Housing Associations can all make their own rules though, they aren't the same across the country, so you would have to work out which one covers the area you're hoping to move to, and then apply for it.

Kerry2024

Thankyou 🙂