Local Authority making up the rules !!

Tenancy Types and Management

Would you please answer this question as I am currently in dispute with the local authority whom I am finding to be really difficult to work with.

We are a private landlord who has a large portfolio of property and some of these are HMO’s; i.e split into rooms. We do these as a way of housing under 25’s in the local area who are homeless.

This population is very mobile and often move in and out very quickly. Because of this, those who are in the smallest rooms ask to move to the bigger rooms as tenants move on. When this happens I issue a new tenancy that is for that individual room; the room remains in the same building.

The local housing benefit office is saying that this is not a change of circumstances and therefore we cannot move over to the new LHA allowances. I am finding this really difficult as I must issue a new tenancy when someone moves to a different room and would be seen to be acting fraudulently if I didn’t.

The question remains, is this a change of circumstances or not?

I would appreciate a prompt response so that this matter can be rectified as soon as possible.

Wendy Indge