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If you live in a Council property, the rent used in your benefit calculation is usually the rent you pay, although if you live in sheltered accommodation a deduction may be made for some of the service charges.
If you pay rent to a private landlord the Council will check if the amount charged is reasonable for your particular home and that it is of a reasonable size for your family and that the rent is reasonable for the area that your home is in. Based on these the Council may restrict the amount of rent it calculates your benefit on.
A deduction will be made from the rent if it includes certain services, e.g. heating, lighting, cooking facilities or meals.
To help the council pay housing benefit promptly private tenants should include their tenancy agreement and proof of rent payments along with their application form
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