Tue 08-Sep-09 11:48 AM by jimt
Any charge made by the landlord to cover council tax should be treated as rent and covered by HB. This is confirmed in para.s 4.160 & 4.161 of the HB Guidance Manual which states
Increase in rent to cover Council Tax 4.160 Some tenants, such as boarders, those living in homes in multiple occupation and persons under 18, are not liable for Council Tax but their rent may be increased to cover part or all of the landlord’s own Council Tax liability. 4.161 Treat this increase as rent and eligible for HB.
The above is in the 'Eligible Rent' section of the HBGM which is at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/hbgm-a4-eligible-rent.pdf
If you need the full HBGM it's at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/local-authority-staff/housing-benefit/claims-processing/operational-manuals/housing-benefit-guidance/
It shouldn't matter wether the landlord has classed the council tax charge as rent or as a service charge on the lease.
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