Re: Housing benefit - addition of my name to the mother's rent card

tom_hungston

Hi Everyone,

I’d need some advice regarding Housing benefit, I’m living with my mum since my birth (now 22 years) and wondering if it would be possible for me to be added onto my mother’s rent card so that I could start paying rent officially when my mother can’t afford to (at later stage when she’s retired)

I have been to my local housing office and the officer told me that he have never came across situation like this and he recon that it won't be possible as other people would be waiting for a property.

I’d really appreciate if someone can tell me if its possible and what would be the procedure to do so.

Thanks a lot guys, and Merry xmas in advance. :A

Oldernotwiser

Why would you assume that you'll still be living with your mother in years to come? If your mother's on a low income when she retires then she'll be able to claim help with the rent.

Jowo_2

If you wish to support your mother financially, you don't need to be a joint tenant to facilitate this. In fact, you don't even need to be present in the same property. You simply either pay her bills directly with the service providers of your choosing or send her money directly.

If you want to become a joint tenant or understand if you can become a tenant with rights to remain in the property upon her death (succession) then the council website or tenancy handbook should provide information on whether this is possible and how to go about it. An organisation like CAB or Shelter may also be able to inform you of your rights.

The council may have a process to allow a succession or assignment but could perhaps be averse to doing this when a property is too large for someone's need. I have seen an article in a newspaper where a tenant (a married son with a child whose brother also lived there) who succeeded with a tenancy but been made to move to a smaller property (out of a 5 bedroom property, I think) and the brother told that he wasn't eligible for social housing.

tom_hungston

Thanks guys, I think I have misrepresented my case here. I wanted to be on the rent card so that me and my mother could apply for mortgage, She tried on her own and she can't get mortgage by herself,

So which is why I want to apply to be on the rent card and in a years time we both can apply for the mortgage of the house. I can't be on the mortgage if I'm not on the rent card as I have been told by few people.

Any advice would be much appreciate guys.

Thanks

Jowo_2

Still a bit confused.

Someone on the Housing board may be able to tell you how to go about getting a joint mortgage and info on how Right to Buy operates. The council will tell you if you can be a joint tenant and how to do this.

Are you aware that owners cannot get Housing Benefit? At the moment, those struggling to pay their mortgages can apply for assistance with the interest part of their mortgage, but only after 13 weeks. There isn't the same degree of state support for home workers that tenants currently enjoy.

Have you considered how joint ownership is going to work when your mother has retired and can no longer contribute to the mortgage? Or when you marry and want to start a family with someone who is unlikely to want to live with their mother in law?

Caz3121

can you not just be the guarantor on the mortgage. My ex MIL bought her council property and I stood as guarantor