Can I get Housing Benefit if I rent a furnished property?
Yes, anyone who has a liability to pay rent can apply for benefits.
Do I have to be a council tenant to claim benefits?
No. Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit, so what matters is how much money you have coming in, rather than who you rent your property from.
If you are on a low income and are renting your property, whether it's from a private landlord, a housing association or the council, you may be eligible to receive Housing Benefit.
Does Housing Benefit cover all my rent?
If you are in a council property, housing benefit only covers your basic rent. This is called your eligible rent. Charges for some services are taken off your rent before we work out your housing benefit. The amount taken off is either the amount you pay or, if this is not known, a fixed amount set by the Government.
If you are renting from a private landlord, a rent officer will decide what a reasonable rent is for your property, and you will receive housing benefit according to that. If the reasonable rent is less than your actual rent, your housing benefit will not cover all your rent and you will still have to pay something towards it.
We will always write to you to tell you if this is the case. We will also ask you to consider applying for a 'Discretionary Housing Payment' (DHP) to help you with the shortfall.
