client lives aboard a narrow boat in Manchester.Will be claiming IB for first time.Can he claim for housing benefit to pay for mooring charges.There is no address for him at this mooring although there is an adress for the boatyard where the mooring is.The IB is to be claimed from his mothers address as all his mail goes there. He does not live at his mothers.This is his permanent settled home and will be for the foreseable future.
Any problems with this claim foreseable?

Legally there should not be a problem as mooring charges are eligible for HB, but if your LA is VF compiant or otherwise bureaucratic and awkward, expect a fight, probably a Tribunal

I agree with stainsby. The following may help:

Initially, HBR 10(1)(f) should apply - "houseboat" is not defined as such. If you get problems with the LA and/or the case goes to appeal, then a Commissioner's Decision should go along way to helping:

CH/0844/2002

Regards

CH0844/2002 is on the hbinfo site
http://www.hbinfo.org/menu2/comdecs/ch_0844_2002.shtml

I'd like to think that Stainsby is being a little over-pessimistic about the LA's likely attitude, but he probably knows better than me! Hopefully if it is not the first claim from a boatdweller they have ever had it won't be too problematic.

One other thing to mention is that the Rent Service is likely to be involved.

the other morings in the area are all dearer than my clients.
will a RO go outside the area to make comparisons due to the rarity of moorings in this area? There are only 2 more mooring sights in the area.
Have you experience of RO's doing this for mooring charges?