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LHA homeless hostel exception - requirement to have had a rent liability at hostel?
I’ve been told that for the ‘homeless hostel’ LHA exception to apply to somebody, they must have had a rent liability at the hostel accommodation. I wasn’t aware of this and can’t find any reference to it. Can anybody shed any light?
Looking at the HB regs, my guess is that somebody has looked at reg 2 (1A), (1B), (1C) and then misread reg 2 (2). Any thoughts?
Sorry - so is this a situation where somebody has spent 3 months living in a free hostel and now they are trying to rely on the exception?
Sorry - so is this a situation where somebody has spent 3 months living in a free hostel and now they are trying to rely on the exception?
Yes. 3 months in a hostel funded by a LA but no charge to the individual, moving into a 1 bed private rented tenancy.
Thanks - I don’t really see why it would matter that rent wasn’t payable provided the other conditions are met. The exception is looking at the fact of occupation and not whether there was a liability.
It’s perhaps relevant that under the UC Regs, there is specific acknowledgment that a fully-funded hostel could count - para 29(10)(b)(ii) sch 4.
Thanks - I don’t really see why it would matter that rent wasn’t payable provided the other conditions are met. The exception is looking at the fact of occupation and not whether there was a liability.
It’s perhaps relevant that under the UC Regs, there is specific acknowledgment that a fully-funded hostel could count - para 29(10)(b)(ii) sch 4.
Much appreciated. Thanks Elliot.