Pre-tenancy determination
Before you take on a tenancy and claim housing benefit, you should apply for a pre-tenancy determination. A pre-tenancy determination tells you the maximum rent on which your housing benefit entitlement is likely to be based. This will help you to decide whether you can afford the rent being asked.
How to obtain a pre-tenancy determination
You will need to print out and complete the
pre-tenancy determination application form
(pdf) and post it to:
Benefits service, PO Box 32251, Ealing, London W5 2YX or take
it to our
reception.
If you have difficulties in completing the form you can obtain help at our reception or from a local advice centre. However, the landlord or property agent for the property you are interested in will have to provide some information and sign the form (the landlord or property agent will not usually mind doing this because it will be to your mutual benefit).
Can I get a pre-tenancy determination on more than one
property?
Yes, you can get a pre-tenancy determination on more than one
property.
What happens next
Your completed application form will be passed to the
Independent Rent Officer Service.
A rent officer will value the accommodation according to the information on the form and issue a pre-tenancy determination notice. The notice will stand for 12 months from the date shown on the form.
If you decide to take the accommodation you should claim housing benefit at once.
Please note: Your housing benefit will generally be worked out using the rent value stated on the pre-tenancy determination notice, but this does not guarantee that you will get housing benefit or tell you the amount you will get. This will be worked out by us and will depend on your income and other circumstances. If you are awarded housing benefit it will be paid from the date of your housing benefit claim and not from the date of your pre-tenancy determination application.
What will the rent officer consider in making the
valuation?
The rent officer’s main considerations will be:
-
whether the property is a suitable size for your needs and those living with you
-
the rents in the area for the size of property you will have chosen
-
if you are a single person under 25 the rent officer will also decide how much is generally paid in the area for a single room with shared kitchen and toilet
In deciding whether the size of the property does not exceed the needs of yourself and your household, the rent officer will take into account the government size criteria that specifies the number of bedrooms and other rooms that are appropriate to your circumstances. If the property is too large the rent officer will decide on a rent for a property of the right size. The rules are strict and the rent officer has no discretion to vary them regardless of the circumstances.
Important: You should not include any children on the pre-tenancy determination form unless they live with you all of the time and you claim child benefit for them. If you have any further questions about this please telephone us on (020) 8825 7000.
The rules state that a child is a person under 16 years of age and allows one bedroom or other room that could be used as a bedroom or living room for each of the following:
-
a married couple or an unmarried couple living together as a husband and wife, civil partner or persons living together as if they are civil partners
-
a person who is 16 or over
-
two children of the same sex
-
two children who are under 10 years old
-
a child (under 16)
Each person can only be counted once and in the first category for which they qualify.
Your household is also allowed to have:
-
one other room if it comprises one, two or three people
-
two other rooms if there are four, five or six people
-
three other rooms if there are over six people
For further information you can write, telephone or visit our reception.