Can 2 or more people each individually claim housing benefit from DWP on 1 flat say its a 5 bedroom flat can 5 individuals all on universal credit or PIP claim their allowance to make the rent cheaper for everyone? If only 1 claim is allowed to make the full or most of the local housing allowance rate in that area where is the rule that states it?
Hi Pipsy,
Does each person have a separate tenancy agreement?
would that make a difference?
I think that makes it an HMO, house of multiple occupation, loads and loads of regulations!
HMO’s are fine but you would each have your own tenancy agreement for each room. A lot of landlords do this now as they can max their earning potential.
For instance, a 2 bedroomed property, if it was rented to a couple claiming benefits together, the landlord might only get £450 a month. If the landlord rents it out to two separate people and charges each one £300 a month which they get via housing benefits, he will be making more money!
In your example, the landlord will treat you as 5 individuals with 5 tenancy agreements, so he won’t drop the asked rent in case one person scarpers.
Good luck!
He claims 2 plus people can claim housing benefit individually with 1 tenancy agreement? Aren’t couples treated as 1 and get a higer rate but not double a single individual? He mentioned its doable if its a non couple like Father-son-friends, Mother, daughter, sisters sort of setup?
I think the DWP ask for a tenency agreement in your name only or a couple? So they would have to issue 2+ tenencey agreements to get 2+ claims for housing benefit?
Probably best to check with your local authority. In ours, a couple gets £450 a month towards their rent. A single person gets £300. 2 x single people will bring in £600.
If it is a HMO, you will all get a separate tenancy agreement each. If it’s a 2 bedroomed house and 2 people are living together as friends/family members, it might be different.
Good luck!
There are lots of regulations to comply with for HMO’s, for fire safety, for example.