Landlord out of country still claiming Winter Fuel allowance

rudster

Hi can anyone give me advice on this matter, i have rented privately the same property for past year and a half. My landlord an elderly woman works in the states as a nanny from sept to june.

In nov 2008 i received a letter from inland revenue (letter was address to my landlord but name was not visible) to advise that her winter fuel allowance will be paid into her account, i called her to advise and she agreed to reduce my rent for the value of the fuel payment for the month of decemeber.

When i moved back into the property in October 2009 i asked her about discounted rent for december again due to her receiving her winter fuel payment, she flat out refused saying i wasn't eligible for it which of course i understand is true, but surely she is not eligible either if she is currently working in California over the winter period.

Feel rather hard done to obviously due to the horrendous winter we had here in the UK, does anyone know where i stand in this situation?

00ec25

2 seconds on Google and you could have answered this yourself, read the eligibility criteria ...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/BenefitsInRetirement/DG_10018657

olias

I think it was in the news recently that age related winter fuel payments are payable even if you live abroad - the report cited expats living in spain etc receiving it. The payment is to the person, not the property. Sorry, but I don't think it is anything to do with you. If it's any consolation, the recent media interest may well lead the government to close this loophole.

Olias

00ec25

olias wrote: »

the recent media interest may well HAS lead the government to close this loophole.Olias

you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 20–26 September 2010

Trollfever

Write to your MP to complain about how the benefits system works.

Jowo_2

rudster wrote: »

Feel rather hard done to obviously due to the horrendous winter we had here in the UK, does anyone know where i stand in this situation?

Despite the fact that she previously reduced your rent even though her entitlement to the allowance is nothing to do with you?

Most tenants/lodgers rent payments are based on market rents - what the going rate is for the type of property in that particular area - and are entirely independent from the landlord's personal income, whether through employment or benefits, and are not influenced by their personal energy consumption, either.

If the energy bills are too expensive for you, visit the Utilities board on MSE which will give you hints and tips to reduce your consumption (and find a cheaper tariff (if you live in self-contained accommodation and can choose your own supplier).

if you are generally struggling with budgeting, download the budget planner spreadsheet and visit the related MSE boards to understand how to reduce it.

Stop asking your landlady for a drop in rent just because you resent that she receives an allowance and you don't.

rudster

Jowo wrote: »

Stop asking your landlady for a drop in rent just because you resent that she receives an allowance and you don't.

yeah ok, i understand she is eligible now, hence why i posted this

sunshinetours

Think Jowo has summed it up quite nicely above. It really has nothing to do with you - hopefully you apologised for opening her post as well. The fact that she gave you a goodwill adjustment last time certainly doesn't mean she has to this time - she sounds like a fair landlady to me. Maybe you should find somewhere cheaper to rent oif this is an issue