independent living

rich_hobbs_1

hi all i have a quick question as to regards of service charges in a flat i live in 
i currently live in a flat  which is a council flat in which my mum owns the lease on the property i have bipolar and find it difficult to work does anyone know or have had experience with claiming for help with service charges or major works or or know if this is possible to do . i have have lived there for nearly five years and my mum is looking to put the property in my name 

Pippa_Scope

Hi @Debbie_Scope, could you possibly help with the above? 

Pippa_Scope

Hi @rich_hobbs_1, how are you doing?

I've been looking into this and wondered whether it might be worth speaking with the council or landlord of the property? There's some information on service and ground charges that advises checking what you should or shouldn't be paying with whoever owns the property. Hope this helps and best of luck!

Debbie_Scope

Hi @rich_hobbs_1,

Shelter covers some of this on their website 
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/housing_benefit/how_housing_benefit_is_calculated 

Some service charges can be covered by housing benefit but others can't.

Housing benefit will cover charges for:

• fuel for communal areas
• communal facilities
• lifts and entry phones

Housing benefit will not cover 'ineligible charges'. These include charges for:

• meals
• personal alarm system
• personal care and support
• water charges
• most fuel charges

Major works aren't covered and the bills can be massive so you really need to get some further advice.
Lease are a good contact for issues with leaseholds so please do talk to them.

This is a really big decision so please do take care and get some advice first.

Best wishes
Debbie