change of circumstances a month into BR....

miss_sunshine_68

Hi!

After going BR a month ago my son has now found out he is losing his job...i only work 17 hrs a week and his weekly contribution has paid the difference in our rent and housing benefit, we now can't afford to stay in our home! Just when you think things are getting less stressful! He is desperately looking for another job but is hoping to go into the Army in Sept after applying last year an told to wait a yr...

My Mum wanted to downsize, because she is a pensioner and is struggling herself, from her 3 bed house to a 1 bed flat but has offered us the chance to move in with her....I will obviously have to pay her rent for us both and was wondering what figure you think is reasonable?

I know there was a similar thread about this when I was about to go to court and was on here hourly reading your invaluable advice, but I can't find it!

Thanks

kepar

Surely it depends what your mother is paying in rent and utility bills. Otherwise just clutching at numbers.

Your son must be claiming benefits by now so that will help, but if he is going away in august will you be able to pay your share ???/?

Ineedaname

Would need clarification but I think there's a restriction on Housing Benefit when paying a family member rent to live with them. I would check this out before you make any decision.

mel12

It would depend if your mum owns the house or is renting. If she owns it, she would be your landlord and you can't claim housing benefit (see the section on close relatives here ). If she's renting then it would be OK as you'd just be co-tenants with the same landlord, but do check the local housing allowance rates for how much you could claim.

Ineedaname

Thanks for the clarification Mel. If the OP's mum rents then the OP would need to negotiate a joint tenancy agreement with the landlord, otherwise mum is potentially subletting which may not be allowed in the tenancy agreement.

Having said that, all the landlord needs to know is that family members have moved in. The OR just needs to know the amount contributed to the household expenses, as it's family I wouldn't think they would insist on any form of official contract.

So problem potentially solved there, but not regards HB as without the joint tenancy HB may still not be payable as it goes back to 'living with family' once again.

miss_sunshine_68

Thanks for your replies! Sorry I wasn't very clear my Mum owns her house so my question should've been about my actual housekeeping money to her....think we will split everything 50/50 although she keeps saying I can't afford to do this.....(she doesn't know about my BR)....my son has been given 1 month's notice so hopefully he'll find something until Sept.

Thanks again!

Ineedaname

In which case you need to speak to your Local Authority's Housing Benefit department and maybe even take some advice from the CAB as it looks like you won't be entitled to HB if you live with your mum in her own home.

Obviously that won't help your financial situation and you definitely would not be able to split costs straight down the middle. Maybe it's time to let your mum know the true situation?

miss_sunshine_68

Hiya Ineed....

I won't be entitled to housing benefit because I'll be living with a relative....I just wandered what would seem reasonable to pay for housekeep/rent so when I tell my OR about my change in circumstances.....I really can't tell my Mum about my BR she has never owed money (except her mortgage) and she would make herself ill with worry if she found out! I'm now packing up my home I've lived in for 15 years....while sad about this I'm also thinking that after the stress of BR and feeling loads better for a couple of weeks...that nothing can make me feel as bad as the build up to BR! Thanks for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it!

Ineedaname

I think considering you won't be receiving HB or CTB and your mum will also lose her 25% single occupant Council Tax discount, you're going to have to work out with your mum what you can actually afford to give her for board. So work out your grocery, clothing, car (?), medical and haircut figures first, then see what's left to help your mum. If there's any left after that you are allowed a small amount to save for holidays and emergencies.

Did you say your son will be moving with you? Is he of working age and able to help with contributions, or even from his own benefits? If he's under 16 then obviously you need to factor in costs from your income for him too.

miss_sunshine_68

Hi again!

Yes my son is 19 and has been given a month's notice from his job but he is hopefully joining the army in Sept so he will have to contribute, he is looking for another job until Sept so fingers crossed! My OR in my telephone interview told me I would have to "do something" because running the house on my current income has left me without any surplus each month...so even though returning to my Mum's is the last thing I want at least my housekeep will be my main outgoing and not the pile of bills I struggle with now.....

thanks again for replying!

mel12

I think a reasonable maximum amount from the OR's point of view would probably be the local housing allowance or average rent in the area for the size of property you need (if you're not responsible for any children under 18 or partner then take the allowance for a single person / one bed place as other family members would be expected to contribute to the other bedrooms), and a share of all water/gas/electric/council tax bills - I think you could either argue that you need to pay 1/3 of the bills as there are 3 of you, or do it proportionately by income if your son isn't able to contribute much due to a low income.

Obviously if you need the amount to be lower for budget reasons that wouldn't be a problem.