Housing Benefit 4 week overlap to secure a new property

Other

Hi Guy's,

I have a tenant who viewed one of my properties along with a few other perspective tenants on the 17th February 2014.

I explained to him that there was quite a bit if interest in the property so if he wanted the property he would have to apply for housing benefit and start his tenancy from the 17th February, which he did.

As he was claiming housing benefit in his current property. When he advised the housing benefit department on the 18th February that he had moved and started a new tenancy on the 17th February they just changed his details to the new address and gave him the pink copy for his records.

We then signed and completed the LA1 (Landlords Copy) and returned it by email on the 24th February. We also applied for a 4 week overlap so that his old landlord was also paid for most of his notice period (i.e. 4 weeks from the 17th February).

In subsequent conversations with housing benefit staff the tenant told them that he didn't fully move in until the 8th March.

So housing benefits have advised us that as he was residing in his old property until the 8th March 2014 we are not entitled to the 4 week overlap and they have cancelled his claim from the 17th February 2014 to the 7th March 2014; and advised that he will only be entitled to housing benefit from the 8th March 2014.

Could you kindly advise if this correct..??

Many thanks
Antoni