Ashfield District Council: How much rent will you use to work out my Housing Benefit?

How much rent will you use to work out my Housing Benefit?

If you are the tenant of a housing association or Ashfield Homes Ltd we will normally base your housing benefit entitlement on the rent that you are charged (apart from services that are not covered by housing benefit for example water rates).

If you live in privately rented property the Rent Service, which is independent of the council will decide the level of rent used to work out your housing benefit entitlement.

If you are single and under 25 years old your rent will normally be restricted to the single room rent, this varies from month to month but is usually about £35.00 a week.

You can find out how much rent would be used to calculate Housing Benefit before taking a tenancy by asking for a Pre-tenancy Determination.

The Rent Service will provide a valuation of the maximum rent that will be used to work out your entitlement to housing benefit should you decide to take on the tenancy.

You need to contact us on 01623 457400 for a Pre-tenancy Determination form which needs to be completed and signed by yourself and the landlord of the property.
The completed form should be returned to us and we will pass it to the Rent Service who should inform you, the landlord and ourselves of their valuation within five working days of receiving the form from us.

Housing Benefit does not cover most service charges such as those for fuel, cooking, lighting, laundry facilities and meals. Please contact us on 01623 457400 for further advice.

If you would like further information about Housing and Council Tax Benefit please see one of the leaflets below. Please click on the right on for your age.