Advice please, will she get into trouble?

BBBNH

Hi, not sure if this is the right forum to post this, apologies if it isn't.

my mum has lived with my grandmother for 16 years. my grandmother was in full receipt of housing benefit and council tax benefit.

my mum started working whilst living with my grandmother, she was working 15 hours a week on a low wage and was not paying anything towards rent or council tax. she was caring for my grandmother when she was not working, but wasn't receiving carer's allowance.

my mum's hours went up to 37 towards the end of last year (minimum wage), my grandmother was still receiving council tax and housing benefit. sadly, my grandmother passed away this month and my mum is in bits, she is in the process of getting the house signed over to her and trying to sort out a direct debit for council tax etc.. there just seems to be so much to sort out and she's really stressed.

she received a phone call today from the council housing department. the lady wanted to know my mum's work history and to see wage slips etc, my mum is now panic stricken thinking she has to pay 16 years of rent back to the council. does this sound right? has my mum done anything wrong?

thanks in advance for any advice.

welshmoneylover

BBBNH wrote: »

Hi, not sure if this is the right forum to post this, apologies if it isn't.

my mum has lived with my grandmother for 16 years. my grandmother was in full receipt of housing benefit and council tax benefit.

my mum started working whilst living with my grandmother, she was working 15 hours a week on a low wage and was not paying anything towards rent or council tax. she was caring for my grandmother when she was not working, but wasn't receiving carer's allowance.

my mum's hours went up to 37 towards the end of last year (minimum wage), my grandmother was still receiving council tax and housing benefit. sadly, my grandmother passed away this month and my mum is in bits, she is in the process of getting the house signed over to her and trying to sort out a direct debit for council tax etc.. there just seems to be so much to sort out and she's really stressed.

she received a phone call today from the council housing department. the lady wanted to know my mum's work history and to see wage slips etc, my mum is now panic stricken thinking she has to pay 16 years of rent back to the council. does this sound right? has my mum done anything wrong?

thanks in advance for any advice.

Did your mum notify the council at any time about the change in circumstances?

BBBNH

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Did your mum notify the council at any time about the change in circumstances?

which change of circumstances do you mean, sorry? when she started working the 37 hours?

concerned43

I take it the house was in your grandmother's name only - hence why she received housing/council tax benefit, therefore it was your grandmother's responsibilty to inform the Council that her daughter was living with her.
If your mother did not claim any benefits then I do not see why your mother would be in trouble.

BAFE

I would agree with concerned43 although it might be worth your mum paying a visit to the CAB to be sure of her position.

As has already been stated, it was your grandmothers reponsibiity to report any changes in circumstances.

BBBNH

concerned43 wrote: »

I take it the house was in your grandmother's name only - hence why she received housing/council tax benefit, therefore it was your grandmother's responsibilty to inform the Council that her daughter was living with her.
If your mother did not claim any benefits then I do not see why your mother would be in trouble.

the council knew my mother was living there - i think, as her name was down on the electoral roll, she received all her mail at the address etc..

the house was only in my grandmother's name, never my mum's.

mum has never received benefits apart from WTC and she also used to receive CTC.

BAFE

I think she'll be ok. Was your grandmother claiming the single persons discount for council tax?

bryanb

Could be an issue if G/mother was receiving 25% off council tax, but still G/mother's responsibility.

dmg24

BBBNH wrote: »

the council knew my mother was living there - i think, as her name was down on the electoral roll, she received all her mail at the address etc..

the house was only in my grandmother's name, never my mum's.

mum has never received benefits apart from WTC and she also used to receive CTC.

Has she been declared as living there on HB renewal forms?

bryanb

BBBNH wrote: »

the council knew my mother was living there - i think, as her name was down on the electoral roll, she received all her mail at the address etc..

I don't think you can assume they knew on that basis

BBBNH

BAFE wrote: »

I think she'll be ok. Was your grandmother claiming the single persons discount for council tax?

my grandfather passed away in 1993, so i suppose so? this should have all been spoken about before my grandmother passed, but it was sudden with no time to prepare.

dmg24 wrote: »

Has she been declared as living there on HB renewal forms?

apparantly no forms have been filled in for years. my auntie also lives in a council house and said she hasn't had to fill them in for years either?