Renting to ex-spouse and benefits question

Gav74

Hello everyone.

I'm considering buying the house that me and my ex-wife shared (she still lives there with our kids whilst I pay the mortgage) and giving her, her share. Once bought I want to rent it out and I would be happy to rent it to her, if she wants to stay there.
However, she's on benefits and once the money from the house sale has gone, she'll have no income.
The question is, would the government pay her rent, as they would if she were a complete stranger to me?
I'm just wondering as my kids still live there, and I don't think they would pay if I was renting it to one of them.

kingstreet

It might be worth searching for "contrived tenancy" as this is what you'll probably be considered to be doing.

Research "housing benefit/local housing allowance" for information on the system in general.

Gav74

Thanks kingstreet, I found what I feared:
Renting a former joint home from your ex-partner

You cannot get HB if you pay rent to your ex-partner if you have separated and you have remained in the former joint home. This applies whether you were a married or unmarried couple.
Your landlord is the parent of a child you are responsible for

You cannot get HB if you or your partner are responsible for a child and your landlord is a parent of that child.