Ghost Renters

Sibley

Talking to a mate who owns some houses in London.

Apparently, he has what is known as ghost renters in at least 3 of his places.

Women with children who do not really live at his property.
They have a boyfriend, live with them somewhere else but don't declare it to DHSS.

Of course the taxpayer is copping the rent as it's being paid under housing benefit.

I live in Thailand so I'm asking the question.
Is this common place in UK now?

ruggedtoast

Eh? I'm not big on benefit scams but I thought the point of this was to have someone living with you who shouldn't be there. Not for neither of you to live there.

CLAPTON

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Eh? I'm not big on benefit scams but I thought the point of this was to have someone living with you who shouldn't be there. Not for neither of you to live there.

one would suppose that, if you are claiming benefits for yourself and children as a single mother, then you would also have to claim for a property as otherwise it would look a little suspicious?

I'm sure there are opportunities for making some money by sub renting here ... maybe involve Foxtons

Sibley

I suppose it the girl has a house of her own, it's impossible to prove she's living with a bloke.

Carl31

Surely this mate has a duty to report benefit fraud?

wotsthat

Sibley wrote: »

Women with children who do not really live at his property.
They have a boyfriend, live with them somewhere else but don't declare it to DHSS.

Of course the taxpayer is copping the rent as it's being paid under housing benefit.

Don't think it's commonplace but not that unusual.

I know a young couple with a child that live on benefits. They've got a house paid for by the taxpayer but live with her mother most of the time. They treat the house as a holiday home to be used when they feel like a change, get fed up of the MIL or each other.

I think their main concern is that if they give up the house they'll struggle to get another. Cost doesn't come into it - it's free to them so they keep it as insurance.

Turnbull2000

Sibley wrote: »

I live in Thailand so I'm asking the question.
Is this common place in UK now?

I'd imagine in and around London, yes. It'll probably be another 5-6 years before it becomes more widespread due to continued rapid population growth and supressed house building.

I said a while ago that house shares are set to become more common as people are forced to adjust to the market. Not just immigrants, but younger 'native' singletons and couples. Expectations have to change.

System

I've heard of this, a friend lives in a part private part social block. One of the girls there moved out with her boyfriend and not only continued to claim HB but also subletted it out.

michaels

Joeskeppi wrote: »

I've heard of this, a friend lives in a part private part social block. One of the girls there moved out with her boyfriend and not only continued to claim HB but also subletted it out.

Hopefully the sublet was for cash to avoid tax

michaels

Here is something radical - how about licensing private benefits investigators who get to keep a proportion of any money they save by identifying fraudulent claimants?

antrobus

Sibley wrote: »

...I live in Thailand so I'm asking the question.
Is this common place in UK now?

The 'illegal' subletting of council housing is a known issue. According to the BBC "An estimated 160,000 tenants sub-let their homes". The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 became law earlier this year, making it a criminal offence, although I don't know whether the commencement order has yet been issued.

Still, here's someone who got 7 months for it.
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Barrister-jailed-subletting-Bristol-council-flat/story-19683133-detail/story.html