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Advice on renting with someone under 18, and unemployment. Can we do this?

Hey everyone I could do with knowing some facts and advice here.

I am a 20 yr old unemployed guy who claims JSA & DLA at a totall of £600, take £50 or so for DD.

I want to move into a place with:

A)My friend, a 20 YR old guy with a full time job (1k+ a month)
B) My girlfriend, who is 17, unemployed and a full time student (who can claim a maintenance loan soon, but already has solid financial backing).,... We will be splitting the rent 3 ways.

Here are my questions:

What are the complications of having a 17 yr old full time student moving in? She can't sign any contracts, so how will that work with LL / LA?

Whilst I am still trying to get a job, assuming I have a guarantor, will LA / LL accept me on the basis that I have a decent enough income from benefits?

Lastly, thankyou for welcoming me to the forum! have used MSE for years and created a account that I lost. Apologies for the weak first post :P

Comments

  • princeofpounds
    princeofpounds Posts: 10,396 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    What are the complications of having a 17 yr old full time student moving in? She can't sign any contracts, so how will that work with LL / LA?

    She would likely have to be a permitted occupier and/or have a proper guarantor. If she dumps you and runs off (and let's face it, moving in together at 17 is YOUNG) then you will not be able to hold her to anything.
    Whilst I am still trying to get a job, assuming I have a guarantor, will LA / LL accept me on the basis that I have a decent enough income from benefits?

    Depends entirely on the LL. I suspect you will have a fairly restricted choice of property, but with a proper guarantor it's not hopeless.
  • ognum
    ognum Posts: 4,879 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    To be honest as I'm sure you understand you are not ideal tenants, but, there are some landlords in some areas who design their buisness model around tenants like yourself.

    So, it depends on the area and it depends on you finding the right landlord.
  • Thanks for the reply. Her leaving wouldn't be a issue because me and my friend would still be able to afford rent between us, I figured she would be a permitted occupier or something. She does have guarantors, so that isn't a issue, I suppose it just depends on the LL, and how they are happy to be paid.

    Living together isn't a issue as i've been living with her for almost 4 months now anyway.

    If our choices of house were limited, what would be the best way to find a decent compromising LL?
  • ognum
    ognum Posts: 4,879 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    iama_shark wrote: »
    Thanks for the reply. Her leaving wouldn't be a issue because me and my friend would still be able to afford rent between us, I figured she would be a permitted occupier or something. She does have guarantors, so that isn't a issue, I suppose it just depends on the LL, and how they are happy to be paid.

    Living together isn't a issue as i've been living with her for almost 4 months now anyway.

    If our choices of house were limited, what would be the best way to find a decent compromising LL?

    I would phone a couple of agencies and see how they respond but my guess would be that it will be hard. That then leaves places like GUmtree, the local paper, shop windows and whatever is your local method of landlord advertising. You could try some wanted ads in those places as well.
  • As a full time student she doesn't have to pay Council Tax, not sure if JSA makes you exempt too. Is your mate going to pay it all, or have you agreed to split it 3 ways?

    If you've never shared before, you need to have some very dull conversations and thrash out exactly how bills are paid and shared, and how you approach communal costs like buying bog roll and j-cloths, and cleaning duties. Many friendships do not survive the inevitable arguments about running out of milk and pubes all over the bath.
    They are an EYESORES!!!!
  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 35,763 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Your issue will be that you and GF are partners and therefore your claims for JSA and LHA will be based on you being a couple. You need benefits advice on this.

    I would also get advice about whether you can claim Child Benefit when your GF returns to college and CSA?

    You all need to know the maximum LHA allowance for shared room rate in your area.

    The Council Tax situation also needs sorting; Not sure if your friend pays half and you claim CTB?
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • Werdnal
    Werdnal Posts: 3,780 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Also, from a LL's point of view, 3 unrelated tenants can lead them into HMO territory and bring added complications ...
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The Council Tax situation also needs sorting; Not sure if your friend pays half and you claim CTB?
    The GF is under 18 so is not taken in to account for council tax purposes anyway but with 2 adults in the property there will be no council tax discounts - there may be a reduction through Council Tax Support but that depends on the local authority.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
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