Dependent Parent Housing Benefit

Jools12

My mum lives in a self contained annexe on the side of our property. She is 66 and claims guaranteed pension credit.

I have been told she cannot claim housing benefit. How can this be when she would receive it if she rents an annexe in the property next door. Is this right ?

Is she likely to be entitled to claim any other benefits. She has no income or savings.

Alternatively am I entitled to claim any tax relief for having a dependent relative living with me ?

Grateful for any help

Thumper7

Does your mum pay you rent?

Jools12

Yes she does - we have a rent agreement in place

nannytone_2

does this annexe have its own address and own council tax liability?

if not then it is part of your household and not a seperate dwelling

zzzLazyDaisy

If she is 66yrs old she should be getting a pension plus pension credit, so that is probably all the benefits she is entitled to.

She is not counted as your dependent, she is an independent adult claiming the benefits to which she is entitled.

Re HB - has the annexe previously been rented out as a commercial venture? How is she paying the rent at the moment? Are you charging her a commercial rent - ie the same rent as you'd charge someone who was not related to you and just an ordinary tenant? Also are you willing to evict her if she does not/cannot pay the rent? All these things are relevant to the issue of HB where a family member is concerned.

You may wish to call Shelter for more information but here is a brief summary of the situation

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_if_renting_from_a_family_member

Gentile

Its your own mum, who probably has sacrificed everything to give you a good life and you cannot take care of her in her old life ? Mind boggles.

midnight_express

Jools12 wrote: »

Yes she does - we have a rent agreement in place

She must be so proud!!!!!!

Jools12

Thank you to those people who have genuinely offered support.

To those who feel able to judge you have no idea. My mum is recently divorced and is vulnerable hence wanting her to move in so I can look after her and support her non financial needs. Some people do have them.

jacques_chirac

Jools12 wrote: »

Thank you to those people who have genuinely offered support.

To those who feel able to judge you have no idea. My mum is recently divorced and is vulnerable hence wanting her to move in so I can look after her and support her non financial needs. Some people do have them.

Has she moved in, or is she going to move in? Who is living in the annex now/ before your mother?

Jools12

She has recently moved in. The annexe was not used since we bought the property 12 months ago but was previously rented out by previous owners

Dunroamin

Jools12 wrote: »

Thank you to those people who have genuinely offered support.

To those who feel able to judge you have no idea. My mum is recently divorced and is vulnerable hence wanting her to move in so I can look after her and support her non financial needs. Some people do have them.

Obviously at a price!