Home | Living | Benefits & Council Tax | Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit - information to help you | Claiming benefit on two homes

Claiming benefit on two homes

Change of address

When you move from one property to another, you may find that you have to pay rent on both properties at the same time. If you are receiving Housing Benefit, you may be able to get this for both homes for a maximum of four weeks. There are two circumstances where this payment could be considered, as detailed below.

Unavoidable overlap of liability of two homes

Housing Benefit on two homes can only be considered for this reason when the following circumstances are met:

• the move from one home to another is permanent and;
• you have moved out of your former home and into your new home and;
• the claim is to cover the overlap of tenancies for your former home and;
• the liability of rent on both properties was unavoidable.

Delay in moving in to a new home while it is being adapted to meet a disabled persons needs

If you are liable to pay rent on two homes for this reason you will be able to claim on both properties. This will be for up to four weeks while work is carried out on the new home to adapt it to the disablement needs of yourself or a member of your family who lives with you.

Other reasons why you may need benefit on two homes include:

• You have had to leave your home for fear of violence and intend to return (maximum absence of 52 weeks)
• Your family is so large that the local authority has had to house your family in two properties (no time limit)
• You or your partner is a student who is studying away from your normal home and needs to claim benefit elsewhere. You would need to prove that it is unavoidable and  it is reasonable to pay benefit on both homes. (no time limit)

If you need to apply for Housing Benefit on two homes or you have left your home due to the above reasons please contact the Housing Benefits Service immediately.

Associated documents:

  Housing Benefit Two Homes claim form (only suitable for a change of address claim)  (0.02 MB)