discretionary housing payment question

liltune
liltune Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
edited July 2022 in Housing and independent living
hi quick question about discretionary housing payment

if my rent is lets say £800 but i only get £600 from UC for housing, will discretionary housing payment cover this in full? or will i have to make up the rest myself? is there a cut off point? do i have to give back the money eventually?

i ask because i've found apartments which allow lha but there new so a bit more pricey. and i want to understand discretionary housing payment before i make a decision, thanks 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    A DHP isn't guaranteed, whether you will receive this will depend on your circumstances. It's also only paid for a short period of time before you need to reapply.
    You really shouldn't be looking at properties if you can't afford the shortfall of rent because your local Authority may refuse the payment. Would the landlord of the property accept you if you can't afford the shortfall?
    You don't need to pay them back.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    As poppy says, a DHP, if awarded, is usually only for a short period. If you take out a new tenancy that you cannot afford at the time you take it out the DHP request may well be refused. They are intended to help people going through financial difficulty remain in their existing property while they get finances under control (often not possible of course).

    If you do get a DHP you will not have to pay it back.
  • liltune
    liltune Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    Ok I misunderstood what DHP was thanks. that’s a shame not easy to find landlords/apartments that accept LHA tenants. Anyone of you know any websites that can help me search for such? Probably will be based on your surrounding area though but worth an ask.
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Try gumtree they often gave adverts from local private landlords also places like zoopla and right move 

    Google your area for letting agents tho going through agents quite 9ften landlords won't accept people on benefits only or require a guarantor and 6 month rent up front 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    When using gumtree just be aware of scammers.

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