Is my neighbour commiting benefit fraud?

MoneySaverForever

Hi there, I feel very guilty about writing this because my neighbour has never bothered me but I have noticed that the one Polish woman who moved in here a few months ago now has another five people staying with her in a ONE bedroom flat and there's more that seem to... "hotbed" if you know what I mean which is very difficult for me as they make a lot of noise when entering/leaving the property at all hours as some of them have dogs which like to bark constantly. I also noticed they've moved in what I would call a three level bunk bed and another two single beds just went in the other day too. I just don't know how so many people can live in such a small space but is this Polish woman actually doing anything wrong? she's a council tenant and doesn't work (that I know of) and I just think it's a little weird how she can have so many people living with her. What do I do, let it go or report it to my council? other neighbours have raised this issue with me and the more I think about it the more I see how obvious it is she's not living alone because there's sometimes four or five cars parked outside my window on a daily basis and more come and go at night too.

Hope you understand what I'm trying to say, thanks for your help xxx

passatrider

MoneySaverForever wrote: »

Hi there, I feel very guilty about writing this because my neighbour has never bothered me but I have noticed that the one Polish woman who moved in here a few months ago now has another five people staying with her in a ONE bedroom flat and there's more that seem to... "hotbed" if you know what I mean which is very difficult for me as they make a lot of noise when entering/leaving the property at all hours as some of them have dogs which like to bark constantly. I also noticed they've moved in what I would call a three level bunk bed and another two single beds just went in the other day too. I honestly don't know how so many people can live in such a small space but is this Polish woman actually doing anything wrong? she's a council tenant and I just think it's a little weird how she can have so many people living with her. What do I do, let it go or report it to my council? other neighbours have raised this issue with me and the more I think

about it the more I see how obvious it is she's not living alone because there's sometimes four or five cars parked outside my window on a daily basis and more come and go at night too.

Hope you understand what I'm trying to say, thanks for your help xxx

How do you know she's on benefits? Why do you feel the need to report her even though she dosen't seem to be harming you?. I don't understand to be honest.

MoneySaverForever

I'm not saying I'd report her, just want to know if she's committing any sort of fraud I don't see how it can be legal to have so many people in one small council flat. My only complaint is the noise, very overwhelming at times. Thank you xxx

nannytone_2

i dont know if she's committing benefit fraud, as she may have independant means of paying her rent, but if it's a 1 bed flat and she has moved people in, i'd dwfinately say they are over occupying.

if they are causing a noise nuisance, then report them to the council.

ILW

If she is subletting a council flat, she is ripping off all the lawful taxpayers and should be reported ASAP.

nannytone_2

passatrider wrote: »

How do you know she's on benefits? Why do you feel the need to report her even though she dosen't seem to be harming you?. I don't understand to be honest.

i'd say that if the neighbours 'guests' are disturbing the OP's peace, it definately is their businedss!

maybe she does have 5 people living there, and maybe she doesnt. this doesnt affect the OP's right to enjoy their property without excessive disturbance.

passatrider

MoneySaverForever wrote: »

I'm not saying I'd report her, just want to know if she's committing any sort of fraud I don't see how it can be legal to have so many people in one small council flat. My only complaint is the noise, very overwhelming at times. Thank you xxx

Ok, two things here:

If she's a council tenant living in a one bed flat then she's clearly over-occupying the property. This would be seen as a breach of tenancy agreement. If she's charging them rent even worse as this is seen as sub-letting - also a breach of tenancy.

As for the noise then you will have to keep a diary of all the incidents that occur and contact your local council about this issue. If it's really bad then you could call the police but this all depends what the noise is.

I guess it's your call at the end of the day if this woman is really making your life a misery.

McKneff

Ring the council, full stop.

marywooyeah

I wouldn't hesitate to contact the council - there's clearly something dodgy going on and the noise factor alone is cause for complaint.

elisebutt65

Actually our council have just let a family of 8 move in next door, but 1 to me, AND they're popping an extension on the back for them. Councils are having huge problems with housing larger families, due to tenants refusing to downsize once the family has grown up and left home.

I'm intending to ask for a smaller place, once my boys have left home as I don't need 3 beds for 1 person, but I'll also be pushing 60 by then and can go into a nice 'old person' place. Lol

diable

If she was English would you think about reporting her?