i have a friend who has a council bungalow s43 way and pays no rent. they pay water rates instead . why is this,how much would this be per year. why cant sheffield do this.how often would they be billed.

Don 't think there is a council in the country that doesn't charge rent.

Does he mean that his that rent is met by housing benefit and he only has to pay water rates because they're not eligible for housing benefit?

maybe. they are over 50 yrs old housing only. yes gets benefits.

Then I'd guess that his rent (£50 ish per week) is paid by housing benefit and he has to pay couple of pounds a week out of his own pocket for water rates.

Pretty much the same everywhere.

Then I'd guess that his rent (£50 ish per week) is paid by housing benefit and he has to pay couple of pounds a week out of his own pocket for water rates.

Pretty much the same everywhere.

Exactly. Question answered, closing.