HCE and rent upfront

Hi all,

Looking for some clarity if possible please

A client has approached our service for advice in relation to UC housing costs. The family are from Ukraine and were housed under the Homes for Ukraine scheme but have now been asked to leave that property. The lady has found new accommodation but the landlord is asking for 6 months rent in advance. Somebody she has become friends with has offered to pay the 6 months in advance.

Question is: at what point can the HCE become payable for this lady? Is it after the first 6 months or can she claim it immediately, as her tenancy will state that she is liable for rent from the day that she signs.

We think that she can claim immediately but just wanted to check.

thanks

She can and must claim from the start of the tenancy. Paying rent in advance doesn’t change her liability for the rent from tenancy start.

The cynic in me: Having a ‘new friend’ that hands over 3-5(?)k sends off some warning signals…