Possible house move.

Vulcress
Vulcress Community Member Posts: 115 Empowering
in Universal Credit (UC)

Hello,

We've been looking for somewhere more suitable, and a house might be coming up for rent long-term. It's within the same council area. I just wonder, please, if a move took place, would this be enough for them to say the change of circumstances triggers a new UC claim? the current property is actually owned by a large group, and in a recent house inspection, the agent said repair work would result in a "significant" increase

It did surprise us because one of the windows has totally come away from the wall, and goodness only knows what's holding it in place. My brother is very worried any move would be regarded as a change in circumstances, but my gut feeling, given the work needed on this place, is the rent increase will make it untenable.

Thank you 👍️

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 9,064 Championing
    edited August 24

    No it wouldn't trigger a new claim.

    You'd just report a basic change of circumstances - new address & new rent amount.

    This tool will show the maximum amount payable as for private rental, UC pays Housing Element in line with Local Housing Allowance rates. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

    The new rent may or may not increase the amount of Housing Element paid - if it does & you get Transitional Protection then that would reduce by a corresponding amount.

  • Vulcress
    Vulcress Community Member Posts: 115 Empowering

    Kimi thank you again, really mean it.

  • prestencollin
    prestencollin Community Member Posts: 25 Connected

    I wouldn’t expect simply moving to another property within the same council area to mean he has to make a completely new Universal Credit claim. The move and the new rent would need to be reported, and the housing-cost element would then be assessed against the new property.

    Given the condition of the current property and the possibility of a significant rent increase, it seems sensible to look at the alternative. Before committing to anything, though, I’d put the details of the proposed move and new rent in his UC journal and ask how it would affect his existing claim.

  • prestencollin
    prestencollin Community Member Posts: 25 Connected
  • prestencollin
    prestencollin Community Member Posts: 25 Connected

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