Do families in temporary accommodation pay rent?

Do families in temporary accommodation pay rent?

0:02 AM, 13th December 2023, About 5 months ago 13

Text Size

Hello, with so many people finding themselves homeless being housed in B&Bs, I was wondering if they are required to pay towards the cost at all. Or do the local councils cover the entire cost?

I am genuinely interested as it is a part of the current housing crisis that nobody talks about. For information, I own 3 flats that are being sold as it’s not worth the hassle anymore.

Would be interested to hear Property118 readers’ thoughts on this issue.

Note: According to Shelter, temporary accommodation costs depend on the location and type of housing. Expect to pay a similar amount as if you were privately renting.

You have to pay the costs yourself, but you can get help. If you receive benefits, you can claim housing benefits from the council even if you get universal credit. 


Share This Article


Comments

Andrew Morris

19:31 PM, 16th December 2023, About 5 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 16/12/2023 - 18:03
This rings true with me. I took sympathy on a young single mum-to-be (these cases usually work out badly). She gave birth, then her boyfriend moved in and she immediately got pregnant again. They were extremely antisocial, bringing gangs of kids around, leaving bikes in the communal areas, the bins in a mess, with takeaways and nappies everywhere. I issued a Section 21 (no arrears, so not S8). She tried to get alternative accommodation, the council wouldn’t help her. They said come back when it got serious. I spoke to them at the end and explained a family of four was now living in a tiny 1-bed flat - significant overcrowding. In the end, bailiffs removed her. The council put them in temporary housing (a room in a B&B). Shortly after, they were asked to leave because of antisocial behaviour. Her boyfriend went to prison. Both about 21-22, hugely entitled, rude, aggressive. Despite no arrears, the damage, legals and antisocial behaviour cost me about £7-8k, not to mention upsetting everyone in the other flats. Thankfully, Shelter didn’t get involved or I might still have them.

Rhi Hughes

7:31 AM, 26th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Hi,

Lots of points to address here and really happy to discuss them in detail based on my experience.

Key points to remember:
* Temporary accommodation is only available to people who have a priority need and if they have been made homeless through no fault of their own. This may be because of things like severe physical health condition or children under 18 being part of the household. Temporary accommodation is there to prevent very vulnerable people with no other housing option to live on street.

Most temporary accommodation is very expensive for the poor quality of accommodation that most temporary accommodation is unfortunately. This is because regulations largely go unenforced due to capacity of building inspectors.

*council housing is now unobtainable for most people which is why people in temporary accommodation are forced to wait so long.

The commentator who spoke to private tenant who had previously been a council tenant and felt the only benefit was cheaper rent. Council housing provides security of tenure which most of you will understand doesn't always exist in private renting.

Most council housing also has great community and more legal protection than private renting.

Thank you for starting the thread, its interesting to read about different conversations people are influenced by and to be influenced.

Thanks,

Freda Blogs

13:45 PM, 26th March 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Rhi Hughes at 26/03/2024 - 07:31
"Council housing provides security of tenure which most of you will understand doesn't always exist in private renting."

The PRS is going the same way with all the obstacles being placed on PRS LLs seeking possession in perfectly reasonable and legally compliant circumstances. Combine that with poor decisions from judges and the proposed RRB reform removing S21 without a fit-for-purpose Court system, and PRS LLs are, and will increasingly become, quasi social LLs having to provide secure tenancies. It's sequestration by the back door.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now