If someone is living in a shared ownership property - Renting 70% and owning 30% (Mortgage) who should pay the eligible service charge? I have a case where someone is on JSA and claiming housing costs for the Mortgage part and HB for the rental part, but it does not appear that the LA or DWP are covering the eligible service charge.

Thank you.

Reg 12(2)(a) of the current HB Regs excludes payments under a long tenancy except a shared ownership tenancy, and so service charges for shared owners will qualify for HB, given that Reg 12(1) (e) allows for payment of service charges

Sch 2 para 4(1)(a) of the JSA Regs forbids payment of housing costs via JSA in respect of "any housing benefit expenditure.", so I think the service charges should be met by HB, unless and until the person staircases to 100%, and so no longer pays rent.

Incidentally, I am dealing with an HB appeal at the moment where the LA are not paying the sinking fund charge

What is the eligible service charge for?