Benefit on Two Homes

Occasionally you may be liable to pay rent on two properties at the same time, for example when you are moving home. If you already get Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, in some special circumstances you could receive benefit on two homes.

When could benefit be paid on two homes?

We can consider paying benefit on two homes in the following circumstances:

• you are in fear of violence;
• you are students or trainees;
• you are a large family:
• there is an unavoidable overlap while moving.  

Fear of violence

We may be able to pay benefit on two rented homes for up to a maximum of 52 weeks if you have left your home in the following situations:

• through fear of violence in your home, or for example from a family member or neighbour; or
• through fear of violence outside your home by a former member of your family, for example an ex-partner or adult child.

Students/trainees

We can pay benefit on two homes if you or your partner is a student or on a training course and entitled to benefit and it is:

• unavoidable that you need to have two homes;
• reasonable in the circumstances that benefit should be paid on two homes.

There is no time limit on the payment, as long as we are satisfied that the occupation of two homes is unavoidable.

Large families

If we have housed your family in two separate properties because of the size of the family, we will treat you as occupying both properties as your home and we will pay benefit on both. Both homes must have been provided, but not necessarily owned, by the council.

Unavoidable overlap while moving home

We can pay benefit for up to a maximum of four weeks on both homes in either of the following situations:

• if you cannot move into your new home straight away because it is being adapted to meet the needs of a member of your family who is disabled; or
•  if you have had to move in to your new home before the period of notice on your old home has ended and this was unavoidable.

Making a claim for benefit on two homes

Please contact us as soon as possible.

What information is needed?

• Proof of the date that your liability to pay rent at your old property ends.
• Confirmation of the date you gave your landlord notice that you were leaving the property.
• The date you actually moved out
• Has the property been re-let and if so from which date.

We also need the following information in respect of your new tenancy

• Proof of the date the tenancy was offered to you.  You should have received an offer letter.
• Proof of the date that you accepted the tenancy.  A copy of your new agreement will show this.
• Confirmation of the date you actually moved in to this address (If you used a removal firm or hired a vehicle, a receipt to confirm this will show the date of move).
• The reasons for the move and when you decided you were definitely leaving your previous property.
• A police incident report and crime number if applicable.
• If you are a student - information about your course and confirmation of the reason that it is unavoidable to have two properties.

Page last reviewed 13 Feb 2008