HomeSwapper can help you swap your home with another housing association tenant.
If your home no longer meets your needs, or maybe you want to move to be closer to family or just be in a new area or downsize. HomeSwapper might help be able to help you.
Absent Joint Tenants
Are you only getting 50% of the rent covered by the Housing Costs Element of Universal Credit because of an “untidy tenancy”.
Sometimes a UC claimant’s joint tenant moves out and stops paying the rent. Under the tenancy the remaining tenant is liable to pay the landlord the full rent, but they only receive a portion of the housing costs from universal credit. The DWP refers to these situations as ‘untidy tenancies’.
The DWP can allocate rent differently if the usual apportionment is unreasonable. Claimants who must pay the full rent after a joint tenant leaves can ask the DWP to use its discretion and base the assessment on the full housing costs. Claimants should put their request in writing.
Hexagon will be sent a rent verification and can confirm that there is an absent joint tenant. Remember to keep Hexagon updated on people moving in and out of your home..
Bedroom Tax
The maximum rent that can be covered is reduced by 14% for 1 spare bedroom, 25% for 2 or more spare bedrooms.
Click the link above to check if you are exempt from bedroom tax. If you believe you are contact Universal Credit.
Non Dependant Deduction
The council might reduce your housing benefit if other adults live with you, like friends or family members. This is called ‘making a non dependant deduction.’Your housing benefit is reduced because adults who live with you are usually expected pay towards your rent. The council reduces your housing benefit even if the adult who lives with you does not give you money for rent. Click here to find out how much this might be for your household.
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
A Discretionary Housing Payment is a discretionary and short-term payment to help people with their housing costs. To be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment a person must be in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element.
