We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Benefits, gifts, tax and a lodger

Hi

My son is considering living back with me after he finishes uni.

I am on ESA and get Council Tax Reduction due to low income. I am considering going back onto WTC.

I am his mother and we both work.

He wants to give me a reasonable amount of money every month.

I understand the money from the Rent a Room scheme is non taxable up to £4250. I also understand if I take in rent from him as a lodger this will affect both ESA and Council Tax but not WTC if under £4250.
He will be giving me considerably more than this amount.

I also understand that there is no tax paid on gifts given to relatives.
Although he is giving me money is there anything preventing me from saying he is not giving me any rent but it is a gift?

There will be an increase in broadband, electricity, water usage which I can afford to pay. He will be paying his own food.

Many thanks.

Comments

  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,920 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 17 February 2014 at 10:18PM
    he is not paying you rent, he is a non-dependent paying board (as he should) this will not affect your ESA / WTC
    your councils site will have details of the non-dependent deductions for housing benefit/council tax benefit
  • Caz3121 wrote: »
    he is not paying you rent, he is a non-dependent paying board (as he should) this will not affect your benefits

    Non dependent income WILL be taken into account when the calculation is done for your Council Tax Reduction.
    Spelling courtesy of the whims of auto correct...


    Pet Peeves.... queues, vain people and hypocrites ..not necessarily in that order.
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,920 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sorry badly worded - corrected
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.4K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.5K Life & Family
  • 261.7K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.