Rent allowance

W74255

When you get rent allowance of 520 per month, if you see a house for 700, do welfare pay you full 520 and you pay balance of 180??

murphaph

W74255 wrote: »

When you get rent allowance of 520 per month, if you see a house for 700, do welfare pay you full 520 and you pay balance of 180??

No. You are not allowed to rent anything over the maximum for your area even if you can top up yourself. It's against the rules.

W74255

murphaph wrote: »

No. You are not allowed to rent anything over the maximum for your area even if you can top up yourself. It's against the rules.

I won't be able to find a house for as cheap as 520 per month, so how else do they expect me to find somewhere

Gatling

W74255 wrote: »

I won't be able to find a house for as cheap as 520 per month, so how else do they expect me to find somewhere

As they will put it .That's not there problem .

Does it have to be a house

It's 520 with minimum contribution from you of €30 pw

Rabo Karabekian

W74255 wrote: »

I won't be able to find a house for as cheap as 520 per month, so how else do they expect me to find somewhere

I was in a similar position a few years ago. The allowance set is (apparently) based on average rental prices but when I was quoted the allowance, it didn't seem to match up to what was being offered. I have heard the 'logic' as being something along the lines of: if you can afford to top up your rent allowance, you don't need rent allowance. But I would guess that it saves the government a hell of a lot of money if they aren't paying out reasonable rent allowance to people.

W74255

Gatling wrote: »

As they will put it .That's not there problem .

Does it have to be a house

House or apartment....ideally a two bed because I have my son 3 days per week. And in Dublin

Gatling

W74255 wrote: »

House or apartment....ideally a two bed because I have my son 3 days per week. And in Dublin

You should be looking for a 2 bed apartment does your son stay overnight the 3 days

You won't find it very difficult finding something for that money been honest

Stheno

W74255 wrote: »

House or apartment....ideally a two bed because I have my son 3 days per week. And in Dublin

520 per month won't get you a studio in Dublin at the moment

W74255

Gatling wrote: »

You should be looking for a 2 bed apartment does your son stay overnight the 3 days

You won't find it very difficult finding something for that money been honest

He does yes, any advice

mrcheez

W74255 wrote: »

I won't be able to find a house for as cheap as 520 per month, so how else do they expect me to find somewhere

Quick search on daft (assuming you want Dublin) shows apartments like:

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/north-richmond-street-dublin-1-dublin/1492323/

That actually doesn't look that bad

Michael D Not Higgins

With the allowance having been lowered and prices increasing, and the fact that your child will most likely not be factored in for rent allowance, you are unlikely to find accomodation to suit your situation. This is the sad fact of the matter right now. There are just no rental properties accepting rent allowance within the single person limits since they can get more from private renters.

emeldc

mrcheez wrote: »

Quick search on daft (assuming you want Dublin) shows apartments like:

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/north-richmond-street-dublin-1-dublin/1492323/

That actually doesn't look that bad

3 mins later and it's gone.

Gatling

Your best bet is rearranging your custody arrangement .
And rent a room somewhere till your back on your feet.

As a dad it kills me to post that .

Gatling

emeldc wrote: »

3 mins later and it's gone.

Done a search for that chap based off both 1 bed and 2 bed let's 5 came up and none take rent supplement

Michael D Not Higgins

emeldc wrote: »

3 mins later and it's gone.

Could have been removed due to incorrect price.

W74255

Gatling wrote: »

Your best bet is rearranging your custody arrangement .
And rent a room somewhere till your back on your feet.

As a dad it kills me to post that .

I don't want to share with people I don't know simply because I will be keeping my child over(call it over protective or ott). Citizen advice told me two months ago I could qualify for the single parent one child rent of 850 but I was told otherwise with social. They said its 520, does that mean I can only look a places of 520 +30*4= 640 per month rent.

Michael D Not Higgins

W74255 wrote: »

I don't want to share with people I don't know simply because I will be keeping my child over(call it over protective or ott). Citizen advice told me two months ago I could qualify for the single parent one child rent of 850 but I was told otherwise with social. They said its 520, does that mean I can only look a places of 520 +30*4= 640 per month rent.

No your max is 520.

W74255

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

No your max is 520.

Not a chance of me finding anywhere for that price.

Necro

W74255 wrote: »

I don't want to share with people I don't know simply because I will be keeping my child over(call it over protective or ott). Citizen advice told me two months ago I could qualify for the single parent one child rent of 850 but I was told otherwise with social. They said its 520, does that mean I can only look a places of 520 +30*4= 640 per month rent.

Nope, 520 is maximum that's including your 30 contribution. Any way you would consider moving out of Dublin? RA tenants have next to no hope right now with current prices.

W74255

Necrominus wrote: »

Nope, 520 is maximum that's including your 30 contribution. Any way you would consider moving out of Dublin? RA tenants have next to no hope right now with current prices.

Well you see I cant. I'm on the housing list in Dublin, which is only reason I can get rent allowance

athtrasna

W74255 wrote: »

I don't want to share with people I don't know simply because I will be keeping my child over(call it over protective or ott). Citizen advice told me two months ago I could qualify for the single parent one child rent of 850 but I was told otherwise with social. They said its 520, does that mean I can only look a places of 520 +30*4= 640 per month rent.

Alas in the current market sharing is the only option in dublin in your price range. Whether you want to or not you simply won't get a one bed (not to mind a two bed) that will take rent allowance at that low rate

Necro

W74255 wrote: »

Well you see I cant. I'm on the housing list in Dublin, which is only reason I can get rent allowance

Unfortunately, that's all the advice I have. Hopefully something turns up for you.

Gatling

Remember if you found a property 1/2 bed that's 520 per month .
Rent supplement only covers you for 400 and your contribution brings it up to the 520 .

If your not married social will only see you as a single person regardless .

1moreyr

If you had a legal arrangement over access does that not change the rent limit to 1 adult + 1 child?

W74255

1moreyr wrote: »

If you had a legal arrangement over access does that not change the rent limit to 1 adult + 1 child?

Community officer said im down as being single. Doesn't matter about keeping my son over night.

Gatling

1moreyr wrote: »

If you had a legal arrangement over access does that not change the rent limit to 1 adult + 1 child?

No

Because your still a single person who happens to be a dad .

If you were married it may work different .

And welfare don't pay out one parent family payments to 2 different people

W74255

Gatling wrote: »

No

Because your still a single person who happens to be a dad .

If you were married it may work different .

And welfare don't pay out one parent family payments to 2 different people

The mother of the child has a full time job

Mrs OBumble

Are you on good terms with the mother - any chance that you could become the primary caregiver, and she has weekend access? That way, you could qualify for the higher rate, and she would save on childcare.

Also, go and see your TD. They may not have immediate suggestions, but we (ie the community) need to keep the pressure on them to get the limits made more reasonable.

Lastly, try working every contact you have to try to find someone who knows someone who may have a suitable place that they will let for less than market rent.

TheBandicoot

I don't really have any advice, but I feel for you OP. What a horrible situation to be in, and so many in the same hole I suspect.

I agree with Gatling- your best bet is to give up custody for a while, rent a room in a houseshare until you can get on your feet and afford a private rental for you and your son. That's an absolutely horrible thing to do of course(and giving up custody like that may cause further problems), but what choice do you have?

indigo twist

W74255 wrote: »

I don't want to share with people I don't know simply because I will be keeping my child over(call it over protective or ott). Citizen advice told me two months ago I could qualify for the single parent one child rent of 850 but I was told otherwise with social. They said its 520, does that mean I can only look a places of 520 +30*4= 640 per month rent.

I wouldn't rule out the idea of renting a room (preferably en suite, or with a bathroom solely for your use.) I wouldn't usually recommend owner-occupied accommodation, as everyone knows the potential downsides to it, but in your case it could work out quite well. It means you'd be living with the same people - no risk of random tenants coming and going. Probably the owner(s) would be more "settled", less chance of parties etc. Some people would probably be quite happy to have a child around the place part-time (which could really work out in your favour if you ever needed a babysitter!!) Also I've seen places rented out by people who have kids of their own, which could be good. It would obviously mean you'd be sharing a room with your son, but I don't think that's a huge problem when he's so young.

foggy_lad

W74255 wrote: »

When you get rent allowance of 520 per month, if you see a house for 700, do welfare pay you full 520 and you pay balance of 180??

If they pay €520/month then your maximum will be €520 + €120(your contribution) but most quotes include the applicants contribution so would be €520 maximum.

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

Could have been removed due to incorrect price.

Most of the houses on that awful site are advertising a "house to let" but the prices reflect "rooms to let" and Daft.ie seem to do nothing about this because it creates a false rental property bubble that they can make money from.

Help!!!!

W74255 wrote: »

Well you see I cant. I'm on the housing list in Dublin, which is only reason I can get rent allowance

You can get rent allowance in a different county & still be on the housing list in Dublin.

Michael D Not Higgins

foggy_lad wrote: »

Most of the houses on that awful site are advertising a "house to let" but the prices reflect "rooms to let" and Daft.ie seem to do nothing about this because it creates a false rental property bubble that they can make money from.

Yeah I agree and had a similar complaint recently on how landlords/estate agents/letting agents were re-uploading the same properties to prevent the daft price tracker from showing the changes. In the end you have to see that the customer in Daft's eyes are these property owners, not the buyers/renters and won't do anything to act against their income base.

Gatling

Help!!!! wrote: »

You can get rent allowance in a different county & still be on the housing list in Dublin.

Only in strict circumstances

Help!!!!

Gatling wrote: »

Only in strict circumstances

Not really......I am living in one county & have applied for housing list in another.
Was informed by person in MABS that there is no reason legally that you cant get rent allowance in different county from one you on housing list

W74255

Help!!!! wrote: »

Not really......I am living in one county & have applied for housing list in another.
Was informed by person in MABS that there is no reason legally that you cant get rent allowance in different county from one you on housing list

How do I go about getting rent allowance in another county

fussyonion

W74255 wrote: »

How do I go about getting rent allowance in another county

Apply for it from that county, obviously informing your current HSE office that you wish to move claims.

LostinBlanch

Sorry for highjacking this thread but I have a query for a friend (not me honest).

They are renting a place out, and the tenant has just lost their job and is looking for rent allowance. The rent is paid monthly and the letting is registered with PRTB so that isn't an issue. Now the query is what way is the rent allowance paid?

Is it paid to the tenant and then they pay it to the landlord? Or do the Dept pay it into the landlords bank account?

Is there any scheme where they pay it into the landlords account? RAS or something? Whatever that is.

Thanks in advance.

emeldc

LostinBlanch wrote: »

Sorry for highjacking this thread but I have a query for a friend (not me honest).

They are renting a place out, and the tenant has just lost their job and is looking for rent allowance. The rent is paid monthly and the letting is registered with PRTB so that isn't an issue. Now the query is what way is the rent allowance paid?

Is it paid to the tenant and then they pay it to the landlord? Or do the Dept pay it into the landlords bank account?

Is there any scheme where they pay it into the landlords account? RAS or something? Whatever that is.

Thanks in advance.

It's not quite as simple as that. The rent allowance paid by SW probably wont cover the full monthly rent payment and generally speaking the tenant wont be permitted to make up the difference. In nearly all cases the allowance is paid to the tenant and then passed on to the Landlord but some areas will pay the landlord if a formal request is made because of difficulty by the LL in obtaining the rent from the tenant.
The RAS scheme is a different thing altogether whereby the local authority take possession of the house for a number of years and guarantee the rent for that period but it must be vacant possession, not with a sitting tenant.

Grandpa Hassan

emeldc wrote: »

It's not quite as simple as that. The rent allowance paid by SW probably wont cover the full monthly rent payment and generally speaking the tenant wont be permitted to make up the difference. In nearly all cases the allowance is paid to the tenant and then passed on to the Landlord but some areas will pay the landlord if a formal request is made because of difficulty by the LL in obtaining the rent from the tenant.
The RAS scheme is a different thing altogether whereby the local authority take possession of the house for a number of years and guarantee the rent for that period but it must be vacant possession, not with a sitting tenant.

Slightly off topic, but to RAS look after repairs / deal with problems?

emeldc

Grandpa Hassan wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but to RAS look after repairs / deal with problems?

When I looked at it a few years back I asked those exact questions and got extremely vague answers so I ran a mile.

Eric Cartman

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/elmhill-apartments-newcastle-road-lucan-dublin/1490975/

exactly fits the bill for an RA apartment , still in dublin too, if your son stays 3 nights you could get some sort of fold out bed / air mattress till the situation improves

Grandpa Hassan

emeldc wrote: »

When I looked at it a few years back I asked those exact questions and got extremely vague answers so I ran a mile.

Hmmmmm.....that's what I suspected. I'd love it as an amateur, accidental LL if I could hand it over to them and have security (at the cost of lower rent). But if RAS don't take responsibility for the house, then it just doesn't work

Kildare787

Rent allowance as far as I know is paid via check directly to the tenant. They cash it in post office and that money goes towards the rent with the rest they pay themselves.

Grandpa Hassan

pj12332 wrote: »

Rent allowance as far as I know is paid via check directly to the tenant. They cash it in post office and that money goes towards the rent with the rest they pay themselves.

They're not allowed to top up the RA themselves

Michael D Not Higgins

Grandpa Hassan wrote: »

They're not allowed to top up the RA themselves

He means the minimum contribution they are obliged to pay as part of rent allowance.

Nomis21

W74255 wrote: »

Well you see I cant. I'm on the housing list in Dublin, which is only reason I can get rent allowance

The housing list for single people (Which you are classed as) in Dublin is about 20 years long. No reason to think you will be housed there by being on the list.

My advice would be to move out of Dublin and go on the housing list (and apply again for RA) in an area that its affordable for you.

foggy_lad

emeldc wrote: »

It's not quite as simple as that. The rent allowance paid by SW probably wont cover the full monthly rent payment and generally speaking the tenant wont be permitted to make up the difference. In nearly all cases the allowance is paid to the tenant and then passed on to the Landlord but some areas will pay the landlord if a formal request is made because of difficulty by the LL in obtaining the rent from the tenant.
The RAS scheme is a different thing altogether whereby the local authority take possession of the house for a number of years and guarantee the rent for that period but it must be vacant possession, not with a sitting tenant.

Incorrect, the council are quite happy to take on properties Landlords into the Rental Accommodation Scheme where they have a sitting tenant once that tenant is eligible for housing and their claim for housing has been assessed by the council.

The scheme normally works by the council acting as a facilitator for the rent only! apart from the rent being paid by the council each month the landlord is still a landlord and responsible for all repairs and maintenance and the tenant is still responsible for being a good tenant and doing nothing to damage the landlords property.

The local authority don't take any possession of the property but they do guarantee that they will pay rent for the specified period even on a tenant leaving, dying etc but the landlord must undertake to help/not hinder the council in finding new tenants to fill the property if someone leaves. all potential tenants are vetted and Garda checks are done and the landlord will have final say but can't refuse a tenant without good reason just like a tenant can't refuse an offer of a house without good reason.

Grandpa Hassan wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but to RAS look after repairs / deal with problems?

No, the tenancy is strictly between landlord and tenant but the council will advise both if a dispute arises and may organise mediation.

If the tenant stops or fails to pay their portion of the rent(set at the normal council rates afaik) to the council the council will then inform the landlord who must issue notice of arrears in the normal way and rising to eviction notice etc after going through the PRTB process.

emeldc

foggy_lad wrote: »

Incorrect, the council are quite happy to take on properties Landlords into the Rental Accommodation Scheme where they have a sitting tenant

I have it in fuggin writing that they would only take on my property as long as it was vacant. You're not worth arguing with. You're an expert on absolutely everything.

LostinBlanch

emeldc wrote: »

It's not quite as simple as that. The rent allowance paid by SW probably wont cover the full monthly rent payment and generally speaking the tenant wont be permitted to make up the difference. In nearly all cases the allowance is paid to the tenant and then passed on to the Landlord but some areas will pay the landlord if a formal request is made because of difficulty by the LL in obtaining the rent from the tenant.
The RAS scheme is a different thing altogether whereby the local authority take possession of the house for a number of years and guarantee the rent for that period but it must be vacant possession, not with a sitting tenant.

Thanks for that. They are aware that there is a discrepancy in the amount Sw will probably pay, but the question was more about how the money is paid i.e. direct to the tenant and then to the landlord or directly into the landlords account.

Thanks for clearing up about RAS. I only had a vague idea.

wmpdd3

They took on a property in Waterford with a sitting tennant.