Housing Benefit

[LadyDTM]

Can anyone settle a debate im having with my sister. She's buying a 50% shared ownership house but as she isn't working anymore so she'll be receiving housing benefit for the small amount of monthly rent. If she then decides to sell the property in a few years, do the benefits agency claim the rent back that they awarded her out of any equity. I say yes, she's not sure. Thanks in advance (sorry if its in wrong category)

[ToraToraTora]

No.

[murraymints]

Housing benefit will be means tested first of all... if she is awarded then no it is not repayable

[Peter Pedant]

No

I am trying to remember what happened - no rent was repayable but for the 'next house' she has a lump sum and this may interfere as saving in future when she comes to apply

[theshedman]

I wouldn't think they would claim back the money already paid to her as she was eligible at the time but where is she going to live after she sells the property. If she gets another house and tries to claim housing benefit on that then any money she has between £6000 and £16000 will be included and a percentage of that used before she gets anything and if she has over the higher number she will not get anything.