Help with parents!

tootiemac

do you think if we moved in together he would still get HB even if i earned say 20K???

I am not adverse to renting i would just rather spend my money on a place to keep at the end.

mrsbmartin

I don't think he would...again - I don't know a huge amount about HB. If you want to save for a deposit don't leave your parents'...save save save!! He is a grown man and needs to be able to stand on his own two feet...there's nothing wrong with him getting assistance (from government or you) but if moving into yours isn't a viable option then he really needs to a. understand that letter and see if he is liable for the debt and b. get his bottom down to the HB to see if they can help at all.

And his family probably did receive enough money in benefits to cover everything ASSUMING they were going to live frugally....not spending ££££££'s on christmas presents and limited edition models!!

tootiemac

i sooo agree Mrsbmartin.

he can move in with my family that's not an issue, i just have to hope that he can get the Housing to help him.

He's going to their drop in clinic thingy 2moro to see what they say.

AND I am going to get my hands on that letter and get a proper read of it i guarantee it.

mrsbmartin

Here's a simple link re bailiff powers...
https://www.gov.uk/your-rights-bailiffs/what-you-can-do-when-a-bailiff-visits

mrsbmartin

And one for HB...I'm assuming you know his income etc so it might be worth following this through...
https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit/what-youll-get

tootiemac

Thanks! mrsbmartin.

He's gathered his receipts and checked the calculators.

I suppose we just have to see what 2moro brings.

mrsbmartin

Well I hope it all has a positive outcome for you both...getting some help to live independant of his house and family will almost certainly be the best thing to happen to him (bar meeting you-obvs!!).

paddedjohn

If he moves in with you he won't be able to claim HB, you would have to claim as a couple.

BigAunty

tootiemac wrote: »

... This is excluding the money the "need". I had always been lead to believe that the money they received in benefits was enough to cover the rents etc. obv. not true at the mo.

If you know what benefits they are receiving, you will be able to identify their income and HB rate, using the Turn2us online benefit calculator.

Are they actually social housing tenants with a secure tenancy or do they have a conventional assured shorthold tenancy agreement from the HA? Some housing associations have social housing tenants and also let out their properties on a commercial basis to private tenants. This is important to know since the eviction process is different between private and social housing tenants.

In April this year, there will be changes to both council tax in England that may affect some of those receiving full discounts and mean that they may have to pay towards it. Check your local council website if you are in England.

Also, taking place in April are changes to full housing benefit entitlement to social housing tenants across the UK who have unoccupied rooms. If your OPs parents are social housing tenants, then they may also get caught up in the so called 'bedroom tax' when he moves out if this leaves an empty room. HB will be deducted for social housing tenants who have unoccupied rooms. This is a potential double whammy coming to his disorganised debt ridden parents.

Private tenants have always had their housing benefit rate reduced as their household numbers reduce - there is a set amount of bedrooms they are entitled to and they must pay the difference between the rent and the HB rate out of their existing income if they live in a property more costly than their HB entitlement.

Certain tenants get their HB and Council Tax covered in full (if they bother to apply for it) and other tenants who have non-dependents, such as adult children, may have deductions from the full rate based on the non-dependents income which they are supposed to deal with as a family, by asking for their adult children to contribute towards the household expenses. The local council website will have a table that explains Non Dependent Deductions - there are lots of exemptions to it.

Your partner's parents need to contact Shelter to understand the eviction process and how/if this can be stayed. They could also involve their MP if they wish.

The HA should be able to confirm who is on the tenancy agreement. Perhaps the tenancy is just in his parents sole name but they are aware that their 2 children also occupy it. It would be unusual for a tenancy agreement to be in 4 names across two generations.

BigAunty

tootiemac wrote: »

...
4. Hope to someone he finds a better job soon or he may have to live in council housing on his own for a while.
...?

single adults without disabilities or dependents are the least likeliest group to be given social housing, especially in England where there is not now any obligation by the council to give social housing to the homeless (law changed in November, the local council in England can now discharge their statutory obligations to the homeless by offering a private tenancy).

EDIT - note from an historic thread that the OP is in Scotland so can ignore the info I posted specifically about England. Scotland has different homelessness legislation, kinder to single people, and will not be affected by the CT discount changes in April. However, Scotland not exempt from non-dependent deductions or 'bedroom tax' on HB for social housing with empty bedrooms.