People on low incomes with high rental costs are usually entitled to receive Housing Benefit to help them pay the rent.
It is important, however, to remember that there is no automatic entitlement. Housing Benefit will only be paid to someone who has gone through the application process properly and satisfies the statutory requirements for the payment of Benefit.
Importantly, the level of Housing Benefit awarded may not pay the rent in full.
It is very important therefore, that anyone who may be relying on Housing Benefit to make a private rented property affordable should contact the Housing Benefit advisers at Argyll and Bute Citizens' Advice Bureau (ABCAB) or other advice agency before they accept the tenancy. It is advisable to obtain a pre-tenancy determination (PTD) from the Housing Benefit office in advance of signing a tenancy agreement to ensure it is affordable.