Hi everyone. Need to ask it’s my first time to seek a house and to know about the rules of renting.
I want to know if I am on Universal credit to support myself (single mum) and my two babies, am I eligible to do private renting, and if so how much would UC cover the cost?
I don’t work, this is my only sole income.
You are eligible to privately rent, but given the high demand for rental property, it is not always easy for persons on benefits to find a property.
Yes, you can rent privately while on Universal Credit (UC). UC may cover some or all of your rent through the housing element, but it depends on your local housing allowance (LHA) rate, the size of your household, and the rent you pay. When comparing a council tenant vs private tenant, keep in mind that private rents are often higher and not all landlords accept tenants on UC. Since you are a single mum with two children, your LHA rate will reflect the appropriate number of bedrooms needed. If your rent is higher than the LHA rate, you may need to cover the difference. It’s important to discuss this with your landlord to ensure they are willing to accept UC.
as you have not rented before, I would strongly advise that you look at the Shelter website and learn what your rights are and what the procedures are for renting property so you can make sure that any LL you contact is doing what they should.
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