Claiming benefits from a different address

dmg24

C.C.L. wrote: »

If I don't find out, but it has been happening, and it gets stopped, that's all that I'm bothered about. I've felt sick and my stomach's been churning since the phone call.We've decided to contact the DWP to be on the safe side.The only thing is if we don't find out as you say, we could be renting to people who encourage fraud,and we wouldn't know then would we? Arrggg.

The difficulty with letting is that, however many checks you do, you never really know what any relative stranger is like. The house next to me is let, and every tenant they have had has had something slightly dodgy about them, despite having seemed quite reputable when first moving in. The worst was a couple in their early sixties - very pleasant, paid their rent on time and caused no problems to the neighbours ... until the husband murdered his wife (yep, in the house!).

Obviously that is a very extreme example, and the great majority of tenants are quite lovely ... but you never know what happens behind closed doors!

dmg24

paddedjohn wrote: »

Does it really matter? You went to the property yesterday and the tennant is looking after it in a satisfactory manner, therfore why are you worried, the rent is getting paid isnt it

If the LA thinks they are paying the rent to the LL (very unlikely, but a possibility) and then discovers fraud, the LA could chase the LL for the overpayment.

Jowo_2

paddedjohn wrote: »

Does it really matter? You went to the property yesterday and the tennant is looking after it in a satisfactory manner, therfore why are you worried, the rent is getting paid isnt it

I can understand your viewpoint and also wonder whether these external factors, outside the scope of what the landlord's responsibilities are, should be acted upon or not.

But on the other hand, IF the information is correct, then the tenant lacks integrity and there is perhaps criminal activity or a breach of the tenancy agreement taking place.

The landlord doesn't have to let them know that they have reported to the authorities that there are potentially fraudulent benefit claims being made at that address. And to be honest, the DWP only act on a minority of reports made to them anyway because they don't have the resources to check on every one.

Perhaps the phone call to the local council will put their mind at rest (or not) because it may indicate that there are either valid housing benefit claims being made by sub-tenants who should not be living in the property (according to the terms of the contract) or false housing benefit claims made by those pretending to live there (meaning the OPs tenant is facilitating fraud).

I really can't see how there can be anything desirable about 3 youths, apparently not living in the property, claiming benefits at the address. But I can also see why it might be tempting for the OP to let sleeping dogs lie.

OP - why don't you post your dilemma on the Housing forum to get a wider span of opinions and advice?

C.C.L.

Well I rang the DWP and explained, they took my details but as we thought no info forthcoming from them due to data protection.They gave me a number to ring HB people, who also took my details. About an hour later HB rang me and asked me to confirm if the house was multiple occupancy or not. I told them not multiple occupancy.Asked them for any info they may have, and data protection quoted again.She did, however say they would send me some guidelines through the post as to what steps to take if you think someone is commiting benefit fraud.
I'm still no wiser as to what is going on, but if it has happened then hopefully it should be stopped. I'm going on Monday to have a coffee with my ex neighbour so I'll see if they've noticed anything going on.

dmg24

C.C.L. wrote: »

Well I rang the DWP and explained, they took my details but as we thought no info forthcoming from them due to data protection.They gave me a number to ring HB people, who also took my details. About an hour later HB rang me and asked me to confirm if the house was multiple occupancy or not. I told them not multiple occupancy.Asked them for any info they may have, and data protection quoted again.She did, however say they would send me some guidelines through the post as to what steps to take if you think someone is commiting benefit fraud.
I'm still no wiser as to what is going on, but if it has happened then hopefully it should be stopped. I'm going on Monday to have a coffee with my ex neighbour so I'll see if they've noticed anything going on.

Good idea on seeing the old neighbour. The LA asking if the house is an HMO rings alarm bells to me.

C.C.L.

dmg24 wrote: »

Good idea on seeing the old neighbour. The LA asking if the house is an HMO rings alarm bells to me.

Alarm bells rang with me too, as I had already told them how many were living there, names, ages & gender, and that they are a family.
When I go to have coffee with ex neighbour on Monday, I will probably knock on the door and ask if there's any "stray" mail arrived for us.It will let them know I'm knocking about if nothing else!

Jowo_2

C.C.L. wrote: »

When I go to have coffee with ex neighbour on Monday, I will probably knock on the door and ask if there's any "stray" mail arrived for us.It will let them know I'm knocking about if nothing else!

I am against this strategy. It is unprofessional behaviour by a landlord.

Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of the property enshrined in housing law and despite the qualms you have about alleged improper benefit claims made there, they should not be disturbed by the landlord.

Tenants on the MSE House forum often complain about intrusion by their landlords, and a pet hate is a landlord disturbing them to fetch mail that should have been sorted out through mail redirection with the post office.

NASA_2

It sounds a bit like it is being used as a dole drop ie. the address is being used solely as an address where post can be received etc.

Its usually done when people are living together as husband and wife/civil partners and dont want a living together interview done on them.

C.C.L.

Jowo wrote: »

I am against this strategy. It is unprofessional behaviour by a landlord.

Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of the property enshrined in housing law and despite the qualms you have about alleged improper benefit claims made there, they should not be disturbed by the landlord.

Tenants on the MSE House forum often complain about intrusion by their landlords, and a pet hate is a landlord disturbing them to fetch mail that should have been sorted out through mail redirection with the post office.

Whilst I do agree with what you've said, and also read it on the other forum, we've had mail redirected since we moved out.This hasn't though, stopped all mail going there, and they have rung me in the past and asked me to call and collect it.
When I was there doing the yearly check this week, they said there was mail, they forgot to give me it, and I forgot about it until I got home, that's why I put "stray" in inverted commas.

shikoku

Rather than all this silly subterfuge why not just pick up the phone, tell your tenants what your friend overheard and ask them if it is true.

Anything else risks losing what are by your own admission good tenants.

It probably has an perfectly good explanation or is simply untrue, all you really have here is hearsay.