Looking for guidance on the above.

HB Applicant has an annual rent charge of £5705 at his Halls of Residence inclusive of 19 meals per week, insurance, phone, internet, hall fees and all power bills for the period 20/09/08 -30/05/09. No meal provision for the Christmas and Easter breaks.

No breakdown of the services are known at this point.

Working out the weekly Rent and referring to the Rent Officer who would calculate fuel costs to £18.47 per week and provide a Claim Related Rent inclusive of Full Board.

The remaining services would normally be ineligible for HB, however with the fact that they are compulsory I was wondering if they would be considered eligible ?

Any assistance will be greatfully received on this matter. Its one of these few and far between cases that nobody seems to have any real experience with.

Thank you in advance

Wendy

I would say that the charges are still ineligible.

You could argue that a council tenant or RSL tenant may be in the same position. If they had a service charge that was ineligible but it was part of their tenancy agreement, then it would be compulsory and they would have to pay it, but HB would not meet the cost.