Housing Benefit advice needed please

Hi all,

I am currently in receipt of housing benefit as both my husband and I claim working tax credits (plus child tax credits etc...)

We are privately renting in England.

We are shortly moving to Wales (family all there) and will be carrying on with the same WTC etc...

The thing is, we have a slightly bad credit rating and my husband is self employed and finds it difficult to prove his income to prospective landlords.

We have been told that the only way we will get a rented property is if we pay them 6 months rent in advance.

A friend has very kindly offered to lend us the 6 months rent so we can do this.

My question is : How will this affect housing benefit? The deal will be that we pay the 6 months rent in advance and then pay the friend the equivalent rent every month. Will I still be able to claim housing benefit in this circumstance?

Any help is very much welcome :)

Julia.