I don't know much about it but I don't think there is any harm in asking at studenty type places.
I also think if you can make a good case as to why living at your mums would do more harm then good then they will take it into consideration
xoxox
When we lose twenty pounds... we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have! We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty. ~Woody Allen
Is a chocolate muffin loving glitter ball
I strongly advise Neighbourhood Office for the form filling. They will take note of your claim, date stamp it and log it onto the system. The benefit service have access to this information and therefore it puts a tick against you showing them you are making a cliam and this can help with any possible backdating issues that could occur. TRUST ME, things can get lost even in a paperless office which many councils now run (I helped set up the one for Birmingham and trained them all on how to use it *nods*).
You will need original proofs of identification (2 i think) and rental agreement. Passport or something like that. National insurance number. Proof of income. The NO can verify all these documents for you and make a statement that they have seen originals and you can have them all right back again. They will usually either photocopy them and stamp the copy or scan them directly into the paparless office system. (you cannot get paid benefit until you provide proofs and they are verified originals. Councils have their own verification networks set up: Teams of people who verify that details are correct and genuine.)
The benefit service are not the housing department and therefore dont or wont tell you where to live. Its entirely up to you. The only requirement for a dwelling is that its genuine (they inspect properties to make sure they are real) and habitable and rateable. So you wont be told by anyone not to move somewhere.
I dont know where you find lists of private landlords but i would try calling the council and seeing if there is a list or something or if not where best to look next.
Im kinda in college so landlords dont really apply that way.
urgh this is harder than it should be. Most places aroudn here dont take benefit and those that do are in really rough areaas. Mum has since started being a bit like "you cant afford it" "you will be miles away from college" blah blah. just urgh. why cant it be simple
argh whats this mean? Do what happens if i find a place where bills are included. urgh im so dumb with all this stuff.
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Hi Kim, I dont mind dss but it would be hard for you to get it on a property that has all bills included, they would want to know what you must pay for like gas, electric, water etc and they would only pay your rent and council tax.
If you wanted a room then the best thing would be to have them pay you the rent direct and you pay the rent through the bank or cash. If you told them council tax is included then they would want to deduct money from you for it so best thing is to keep it simple on paper for them...
With regards to not taking benefit - The details on the house we're in said "no benefits, no pets" and we live here using housing benefit and have a dog! A lot of landlords are willing to negotiate because of the current financial climate so don't despair.
My partner says - the other option is to have benefit paid straight to you, rather than to the landlord (I have mine paid into my bank account) and the landlord won't know where the money's coming from.
argh whats this mean? Do what happens if i find a place where bills are included. urgh im so dumb with all this stuff.
Okay, if it is a place where all bills are included, then definitely mention it on your claim form (they can potentially get arsey if you don't and stop benefit/make you repay it etc). If at all possible get your landlord to make some sort of written thing (pref. on tenency agreement if not then just a letter) stating how much of your rent goes towards bills - the council where i am likes it to be separate for electri, gas, water etc but i just wrote it as overall.
never ever ever try to decieve a landlord by not telling them about housing benefit-the council can write to your landlord about your benefit, so you could get found out and the landlord could get a but arsey....however....even if advertisements say no DSS, a lot of landlords will accept it if you clearly state your case as why you are claiming it - mention that you are a student and have 'personal' reasons why you can't live at home (or just claim your parents want you to move out). My landlord was quite explicit that he would not accept DSS, but when my (ex)foster mother called and explained the situation, he asked to meet me and has now taken me on (and is very protective of me-bless him).
The reason most private landlords tend to refuse DSS is because of the stigma that goes with it(which is often totally untrue...but hey....their generation i guess)
Sorry this has turned out to be so long, hope some of it is helpful.
Just remember to always be honest, dress smart if you are going to meet a landlord/view a place and (although i hate to say this) it may be 'best' to cover your arms to avoid the stigma and discrimination that can occur surrounding s/i.
Good Luck,
Ruth
xxxx
"Has anyone seen my contact lens? It may be stuckto a tree or a rock or something. Oh boy, I am so grounded" Family Guy
if everyone cared and nobody cried, if everyone loved and nobody lied, if everyone shared and swallowed their pride, we'd see the day that nobody died
oi shut it pengy! Just coz im a scouser dont mean i dont know how to dress!
Thank you. But if they dont pay the bills only rent i dont think i could afford to move out. Im only on basic money as it is and im also paying off a huge debt at the same time. urgh.
depends how old you are , how much money you get , how much your rent is , if your under 25 you get less , and some councils only give you enough for a room in a house and usually you stil have to pay some, but it really depends,
It would be hard but possible. I'm only on basic money-the amount i earn from working part-time is roughly eqivalent(sp?) to income support in my area.
If it is somewhere that bills aren't included, then make sure you won't have to pay top-up on the rent and try to find out what the average bills are before you move in. I never thought I would be able to manage, but I do so long as I budget myself strictly, and still manage to have fun.
Everyone is different-if you managed to get into student accomodation/shared accomodation then it would probably be easier(money-wise) then living in your own flat.
Have you looked at any house-share websites to check out prices etc?
"Has anyone seen my contact lens? It may be stuckto a tree or a rock or something. Oh boy, I am so grounded" Family Guy
if everyone cared and nobody cried, if everyone loved and nobody lied, if everyone shared and swallowed their pride, we'd see the day that nobody died
