Taking in a lodger in housing association

bubbleoflife_2

I have been a housing association tenant for many years, 23+ years, first with my husband then after he passed away, the tenancy agreement was put in my name only. I pay my rent (and council taxes) in full and on time. But it is becoming increasingly difficult and taking in a lodger is going to be the only way for me NOT to resort to state Benefits, which I have not applied for the past 10 years when my now grown children where very young (it is very tempting at times to take the 'benefits route' as I could get a lot more help that way).
My son and daughter still live with me.

I am allowed to take in lodgers without permission but I have to let the housing association know that I do so.
I recall a friend saying that housing associations can decide to move tenants to smaller flats. Is that correct?
My worry is that if I let the landlords (i.e. housing association) know about the lodger, they might think that I have too much space and would move us elsewhere. Am I worrying unnecessarily?

vuvuzela

If you are currently entitled to benefits, why don't you just claim them ?

richardw

Are your circumstances temporary and likely to improve?

Mrs_Z

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. You have a tenancy on the flat and as long as you are not in breach of the conditions, you can not be forced out, let alone evicted.

I'd be very surprised if the housing association could move you to a smaller property without your agreement. They may offer an incentive for you to do so (ie. sum of money) but you'd have to be in agreement.

Why not not check with your housing officer if you're worried? There's no harm in checking what their policy is.

theartfullodger

Assuming you've carefully read the tenancy agreement & it says you can take lodgers, fine.

Suggest you get a written agrreement, signed by you 'n lodger with rent, names, dates, notice periods, some rulrs.

Checkk your insurance covers you with lodger.

As long as rent less than £4250/year £354.17/month or £81.51/week then you don't need to declare the income to tax man.

Having said all that, would you be better off in a smaller, cheaper place?

BigAunty

Personally, I'd rather rely on state benefits to which I am fully entitled than have to put up with the tensions and changes that come with having a stranger live with me.

To find out your benefit entitlements that will allow you to live in your own place in peace, look at the Turn2us benefit calculator. Most housing benefit claimants are in employment.

bubbleoflife_2

vuvuzela wrote: »

If you are currently entitled to benefits, why don't you just claim them ?

I like FREEDOM from form-filling, box ticking and scrutiny. Also, I have looked at the Housing & Council Tax Benefits form and I can see that I would have to 'bend the truth' here and there to get assistance and there's no way around that.

richardw wrote: »

Are your circumstances temporary and likely to improve?

I hope that my circumstance will improve. I'm working (and studying) towards it but it's going to take time. It's tough out there at the moment.

Thank you all for your thoughts and advise I'll try taking in a lodger and see how it goes.

Rupert_Bear

BigAunty wrote: »

Personally, I'd rather rely on state benefits to which I am fully entitled than have to put up with the tensions and changes that come with having a stranger live with me.

Never a truer word spoken. Years ago we embarked on this idea of having a lodger and it came to the point we felt uncomfortable living in our own house.

katejo

Rupert_Bear wrote: »

BigAunty wrote: »

Personally, I'd rather rely on state benefits to which I am fully entitled than have to put up with the tensions and changes that come with having a stranger live with me.

Never a truer word spoken. Years ago we embarked on this idea of having a lodger and it came to the point we felt uncomfortable living in our own house.

Having a lodger has worked for me. I had a few hiccups to start with but my current lodger has been here for over 18 months. It gives me that extra bit of cash, usually saved for home improvements.