Fuming with HMRC

Icequeen99

Janep wrote: »

Actually, my housemate is putting in a complaint to HMRC at the moment, as when I first phoned up the HMRC, I was asked if I knew my housemate had taken out a loan at my property. (I didn't know this, as it's his own private business and he has every right to do this). He was furious with them for telling me this confidential information.

Yes I do a large shop once a week for myself and children, but I do not think he Evers does a large shop judging by his shelves in the fridge lol, he usually orders takeaways or I assume eats out after finishing work.

I also have email evidence of two £38 newspaper holidays I have taken with the children stating one adult, two children.

Thanks Poppie68 for that insight

He does right to complain, but I wonder how HMRC knew about it. In theory this exercise works by HMRC getting YOUR credit data from Experian. All they would see on your data is financial connections you have. They won't have his credit data.

If he took out a loan in just his name, even at a shared address, then HMRC shouldn't know about it. There must be some sort of financial connection with you on that loan for it to show on your experian report. I don't know enough about loans to know what that could be.

Have you checked your experian report? Is it on there? If it is, then it isn't really the fault of HMRC as you could have found out about it anyway. If it isn't, then I would suggest you get some advice on this whole investigation. Try CAB, LITRG or TaxAID (the latter two being tax charities)

EDITED TO ADD:
On the Experian site it says that if you have a financial connection with someone (such as a mortgage) lenders can search the credit records of your financial connections when you apply for new credit. So it sounds possible, that it wasn't HMRC, but that when he applied for the loan, because you are financially connected, the lender searched your report as well and that is how HMRC know. I suppose you will only know that is the case by checking the report yourself and confirming if it is on there.

IQ

Janep

I have my credit report in my hand as we speak, there is no mention of his loan (found out it was for a flat screen TV, settled) back in 2010 taken out on HP.

There is no mention of his loan on my credit report. Also I have 3 financial connections to his name regarding joint bank account and he has only two connections??

I have no idea how they would know he had taken out a loan, as this is not mentioned on my report.

Would they not be able to get a copy of his?

Icequeen99

Janep wrote: »

I have my credit report in my hand as we speak, there is no mention of his loan (found out it was for a flat screen TV, settled) back in 2010 taken out on HP.

There is no mention of his loan on my credit report. Also I have 3 financial connections to his name regarding joint bank account and he has only two connections??

I have no idea how they would know he had taken out a loan, as this is not mentioned on my report.

Would they not be able to get a copy of his?

I wouldn't have thought so for the purpose of this exercise. But Experian do say that lenders can get the reports of those financially connected. I personally think that would over-stepping the mark if that was the case.

I think i would be taking some advice from one of the tax charities mentioned above or CAB (without looking back have you already been there - did they mention this?).

IQ

FBaby

So what are the three connections? Do you have three current joint accounts? Why? I do think the joint account to but a boiler if it broke down whilst on holiday dotes sound a bit odd. If it is his house only why would he expect you to contribute towards a new boiler? Do you trust each other enough for one to make such a large payment on behalf of the other? which documentation did they request?

Janep

FBaby, if you read my posts properly you would see that it is not his house only, I have already bought half of the house, so it is joint responsibility for the upkeep of the property!! We have a high interest account which we pay £15 per week towards any house costs, ie roof repairs, boiler breakdown, flood etc. We need both signatures to draw any money out of this (it has not been used for 4 years. The last three years my housemate has spent 3 weeks at Christmas abroad. If he was away and I needed to access this money I wouldn't be able to, so we set up a web account (again high interest)with a cash flow of £1000 and a joint current account at the same time with a cash card each, so either of us could access this money in case of emergencies. If you think I would leave it to probability that my boiler wouldn't pack in during the winter months whilst he is abroad, dream on. I have two small children to think of and we have tried to cover every angle in case of these emergencies.

I have provided a years supply of statements for each account to show that these accounts have not been touched.

Thank you Icequeen for your advice, I have been in touch with CAB, but I seem to be progressing forward more quickly due to my MP's involvement.

FBaby

Sorry Janep, I am struggling to come to terms with the fact that you are tenants in common of that property, so do understand the joint costs of repairs.

I do find your arrangement a bit odd though in that you have this joint account that neither control individually. In light of the actual amount it must have reached now (I am assuming over £6,500), wouldn't it make more sense to each have your own saving account to which you contribute £15 each week. You could then also transfer the £500, so you would always have all together enough to deal with an emergency.

I get the feeling that it is that joint account that is causing problems because it isn't necessary.

JOANNACGORDON

.......I am not the only one

I received same letter, oh moved out and was living between his friends house (who works away for 3 months at a time) and him mums when friend was back.

We still have a joint bank account, a joint loan and a joint mortgage.

I too had a single claim as no one was living with me but they told me because we were financially tied they would have to cancel single claim. I received a letter saying I had £4500 to pay back and then another letter saying I had £13000 to pay back :O:O:O.

The loan actually ends next month and comes out our joint account and although it may sound silly to most we were quite happy still having the joint account and taking what cash we needed out of it, it made sense as mortgage (which he still pays half - I cant afford to re mortgage, and he will get half of the sale when sold anyway) and loan comes out of this account.

Anyway I have appealed and am waiting on a descision, I only earn £8500 so how they can expect me to pay back £18k I dont know. It does make me really ill though.

Hope we both get this mess sorted x

benefitbaby

Janep.... when you drew up the agreement/purchased the property was this done with a solicitor/s? If so this contractual agreement mau be helpful as it should clearly detail the intent of the parties (you and housemate).

I am seeing more and more 'living togerther' decisions based on situations such as yours where friends jointly own property, if/when your case gets to an appeal hearing the judge will be looking at the decision and all the evidence through impartial eyes and I will not be at all surprised when you post on here to say you have won

princessdon

That's my feeling too benefit baby - they don't scream partner to me. I asked earlier if their intention on the deed of trust was documented.

benefitbaby

Sorry, missed that