This might be a weird one or a very simple one. Can someone apply for HB if the flat does not have a kitchen. It is a bedsit without any cooking facility but does have a tiolet and sink (No bathing facility within the flat) but there is a shared bathroom for the tenants. Will his rent be resrticted and should he be able to get HB, this development was prevoiusly a care home which has now been converted hence no kitchen. Any regulations will be helpful!

thanks

So what cooking facilities does he have, then? Is there a shared kitchen as well? Can't see any reason why HB wouldn't be payable but rent would probably restricted to 'bedsit' level if the landlord is charging rent based on property being self-contained flat.

There is a kitchen downstairs but it would be run commerically and provide hot meals three times a day, however a tenant wouldn't be able to walk in and make something for themselves.

Is this an enquiry on behalf of an actual tenant or by way of an enquiry into whether the converion of the property might also convert former residents into tenants?

i don't know i had a query from a gentleman claiming that he is moving into this kind of accomadation and would it be eligable for HB, my answer was yes, so i was just making sure that was the correct answer. The building itself was a previous care home hence no KItchen facility.

I guess that would come into it as the residents will be tenants "converion of the property might also convert former residents into tenants?"

The lack of a kitchen in itself is wholly irrelevant to HB entitlement. There may be issues around liability, commercial agreements and contrived tenancies but these are different matters altogether. And, of course, if private accomodation, then the rent will be referred to the rent officer.