LHA bedroom tax & benefit advice please

gjt1971

Hello I'm Gary I have a question, I currently receive ESA, DLA, and severe disablement premium.
I privately  rent  a 1 bed flat claiming housing benefit.
what I want to do is private rent a 2 bedroom flat from family, they will be my official landlord.
i was wandering how this impacts the following.

* Housing benefit 
* ESA (income support)
* DLA (middle care, lower mobility)
* Severe Disablement Premium

Thanks

BenefitsTrainingCo

Hi Gary,

ESA - this will only be impacted if (a) it is considered that someone lives with you in the new property (which if it is a separate dwelling should not be a problem); or (b) if someone claims carers allowance for you - either of these would result in the Severe Disability Premium being removed.

DLA - no impact

Housing Benefit - this is the tricky one. If the council consider that the tenancy is 'non-commercial' (i.e. the Tenancy has not been created on a commercial basis) because you are renting from your family, then they will not pay Housing Benefit. Shelter have some useful advice in this regard http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit/housing_benefit_if_you_rent_from_a_family_member

do beware of this.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Mary