Appealing Rent supplement

ITGirl33

Hi all,
I sold my flat a year ago and it just about covered the mortgage. I was then made redundant just after that. I have 2 kids and am a lone parent. I was renting a house after I sold my flat for 1000 a month. The lease is up and I'm hoping to move to a new place this month. I was getting rent allowance to pay toward the majority of my rent. I spoke to my CWO and she said I can't rent anywhere that is more than 950 per month. I can'y find a decent 3 bed place for 950 as all of them are on the market for 1000 - 1200. Is there any grounds for appeal on this amount?? Any help would be great.

Thanks, Shelly

omck80

Hi, No that's the set amount for everyone in the Dublin area I'm afraid. It is a joke. I was checking for a friend the other day. I did see some 3 beds out in Tallaght area that suit the limit when checking daft for her. Hope you find somewhere it's stressful enough to move without added worries.

Yawns

Hi, as above you won't get any rent allowance if it's above the area limit. What you need to do is bargain with the landlords to try and accept it. If a landlord has been trying to let a place for some time, then they may lower their rent from €1000 down to €950.

It's better they take the €50 hit than have no tenant and 0 income until they find one. However that only works if they are struggling to find a tenant of course. At least these days there are a lot more people depending on rent allowance so you will find more landlords willing to accept it.

ITGirl33

Thanks guys, I'm actually finding it increasingly hard to even find landlords who will rent to someone receiving rent allowance. I think the government are tyring to bring rent down to what they see as "market Value" and the only people being penalised are families who are unfortunately out of work. Landlords are not suffering from this too much. I've paid my taxes for the last 20 years and am now facing being homeless. I can't just move anywhere as my kids are in school and also need to be close to their dad. The welfare office is of little help.

saa

Unfortunately something has to give, location, change school, downgrade on space, more basic space but don't forget there is a lot more out there than online check the papers and discuss the rents with landlords if you meet them and you are a respectable person they may allow you to rent using allowance as they are mostly worried about scum wrecking their place because its mostly paid for, something will turn up but I do believe the tight limit means that something will have to give.