Housing and Benefits Advice
If you rent your home and are having problems paying your rent, there is help available but you have to take responsibility and take
action quickly, rather than hoping that the problem will go away by itself.
RENT ARREARS
Finding yourself in rent arrears can be a distressing time. But you have to take quick action before you are faced with the possibility of eviction
and finding yourself homeless. If you are evicted for rent arrears, you will be seen as making yourself intentionally homeless and will not be
rehoused by any Local Authority.
WHAT TO CHECK WHEN IN RENT ARREARS
If the Tenancy is only in your name, called a Sole Tenancy, then you are the only person responsible for the arrears. However, if it is a Joint
Tenancy (more than one person) then both parties are responsible. If the other party isn’t paying their share of the rent, then you will still be
expected to make sure the payments are made.
If you succeeded to the Tenancy e.g took over the Tenancy from someone, usually in the case of death; then you are responsible for any arrears
that are owed after you took over the Tenancy. You are not responsible for any arrears before that, and should seek some independent Legal
advice to sort this out.
HOUSING BENEFIT
Housing Benefit is a benefit which helps you pay your rent if you are on a low income. You may be able to get Housing Benefit if you are
getting certain benefits such as Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit. You may also be able to get Housing Benefit if you
are working either part time or full time but on a low income. If you are not claiming a benefit which ??????????????????????????????????)?????????????????????????????????????????????????)e???????????????????????????????????????!?????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????? =X?U,)?????? ????????????() I??IAe59P?A18()
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