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Moving to shared property - how will it affect benefits?
- KatieE
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2 days 4 hours ago #308647 by KatieE
Moving to shared property - how will it affect benefits? was created by KatieE
My rent is currently £800 for a tiny flat, which is a substantial chunk of my benefits (UC & ESA).
My friend and i have been discussing moving into a shared property together as this would make both of our monthly outgoings significantly less, however I am worried as this may affect my benefits.
We would be joint tenants, each with our own rooms, shared kitchen, barhroom, living room etc. We are not a couple, and we would be liable for half the rent and bills each. He works full time and we are both over 35.
How would this affect my benefits? How do i prove we aren't a couple, as i know that this would definitely come up, because DWP. I'm not even 100% sure how the council tax would work as I've always lived alone when I've been liable, and got the single person discount when i was working, and the full reduction currently.
I don't want to go ahead if it means i will lose my only source of income, as im trying to make things easier for myself, so that would just be a massive backwards step, and would mean i wouldnt be able to pay any kind of rent at all. Similarly, i dont want to end up being sanctioned for not giving the correct information and whatnot, and be assessed as a couple as that is not the case.
From what I've managed to find online, my housing allowance would be based on my share of the rent or the LHA, whichever is lower. Is that the LHA for one bedroom, which is what i get now.
Im very worried as i jist want to make things a bit easier for myself, but im just really confused about how it all works as I’ve never been in this situation before! I also cannot feal with any of the extra stress that this could potentially cause, but living in a place that is so expensive isnt sustainable long term.
Many thanks for any advice!
My friend and i have been discussing moving into a shared property together as this would make both of our monthly outgoings significantly less, however I am worried as this may affect my benefits.
We would be joint tenants, each with our own rooms, shared kitchen, barhroom, living room etc. We are not a couple, and we would be liable for half the rent and bills each. He works full time and we are both over 35.
How would this affect my benefits? How do i prove we aren't a couple, as i know that this would definitely come up, because DWP. I'm not even 100% sure how the council tax would work as I've always lived alone when I've been liable, and got the single person discount when i was working, and the full reduction currently.
I don't want to go ahead if it means i will lose my only source of income, as im trying to make things easier for myself, so that would just be a massive backwards step, and would mean i wouldnt be able to pay any kind of rent at all. Similarly, i dont want to end up being sanctioned for not giving the correct information and whatnot, and be assessed as a couple as that is not the case.
From what I've managed to find online, my housing allowance would be based on my share of the rent or the LHA, whichever is lower. Is that the LHA for one bedroom, which is what i get now.
Im very worried as i jist want to make things a bit easier for myself, but im just really confused about how it all works as I’ve never been in this situation before! I also cannot feal with any of the extra stress that this could potentially cause, but living in a place that is so expensive isnt sustainable long term.
Many thanks for any advice!
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- David
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1 day 12 hours ago #308656 by David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by David on topic Moving to shared property - how will it affect benefits?
Hi KatieE
The DWP cannot accuse you of Benefit fraud without evidence. I used to work for the DWP and most cases of " Living Together " investigations are started because a third party has informed on the couple. So I would not worry about this. If there was an investigation it would start with an interview with a Compliance officer at the Jobcentre.
Also Benefit Sanctions are nothing to do with Living Together. If you did get a penalty fine it would be a Civil Penalty and not a Benefit Sanction.
Your rent would be met by the UC Housing Costs element and the amount would be half the 2 bedroom LHA rate. It is unlikely that the total rent would be below this as most people have to pay something from their Benefits towards the rent.
Let me know how you get on.
David
The DWP cannot accuse you of Benefit fraud without evidence. I used to work for the DWP and most cases of " Living Together " investigations are started because a third party has informed on the couple. So I would not worry about this. If there was an investigation it would start with an interview with a Compliance officer at the Jobcentre.
Also Benefit Sanctions are nothing to do with Living Together. If you did get a penalty fine it would be a Civil Penalty and not a Benefit Sanction.
Your rent would be met by the UC Housing Costs element and the amount would be half the 2 bedroom LHA rate. It is unlikely that the total rent would be below this as most people have to pay something from their Benefits towards the rent.
Let me know how you get on.
David
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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