Slightly unusual Rent Allowance question

Tope

Hi, hope someone can advise me on this!

I’m looking to apply for rent allowance in a couple of months, as I’ll be starting college as a mature student in September.
I’d really like to stay in the flat I’m in at the moment but I currently pay €595 per month, while the cut off is €529 (single person in Dublin).

So was thinking I’d have to move somewhere cheaper to be entitled to rent allowance, until something occurred to me the other day: my rent actually includes TV, broadband and bin charges – i.e. my landlord looks after all those for the tenants and the rent covers that.
By my rough estimate those bills would add up to about €70 per month. Which means that technically my actual rent for the flat is about €525, with the rest being bills.

So my question is: how would the HSE view this situation? Obviously my bank statements and original lease agreement show that I’ve been paying €595 monthly up till now, but if I got the landlord to write up a new agreement stating that the rent is €525 per month and the bills of €70 are to be paid separately, would the HSE accept that or would they think I was trying to scam them? (I’m really not!)
How likely are they to see my viewpoint , i.e. that the actual rent amount is within the limit?

Sorry for long post, wanted to cover all the details!
Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any thoughts or advice?

moonshadow

I actually cant believe that you get rent allowance to help put you through college:eek:

Tope

I should clarify: I meant to ask for any relevant thoughts or advice.

Thanks!:)

silja

I think your plan is legitimate, but there is a small chance they'd ask for proof, so make sure you actually have those bills in your name from now on. Another option would be to ask simply for a rent reduction- if you've been in the flat a while and have not had a rent review, chances are you are paying above market value anyway, as rents have been falling steadily.

Tope

Thanks silja, I was afraid I might be told it’s a totally laughable idea!

I doubt that I could get the bills actually put in my name though - I assume the landlord has some reason for having these in his own name, (as opposed to electricity which is in my name), but I’ll ask him about it. Maybe they’d accept something in writing from him stating how much of my ‘rent’ has been going towards the bills?

I’ve only been here since December so a rent reduction is unlikely

silja

Yes, I think an itemised reciept every month could work. ie:

Received today, 1st June, from Tope:
Rent: €525
TV (sky+ TV license): €40
Broadband (unlimited use): €25
Bin charges: €5
All other bills (ESB, water etc) to be paid by tenant.

Signed: landlord

Tope

Thanks again silja, that looks about right . I'll have a talk with my landlord and hopefully it'll all work out.