Husband Is Leaving Me - Claiming Housing Benefit & Council Tax Relief

Housing_Benefit_Officer

raphanius wrote: »

can i claim housing benefit aswell?

The reason why rent is suddenly being charged would be questioned when previously no rent was charged. They may say it is a non commercial tenancy or it is a contrived tenancy.

What would happen if your husband moved back in - would the landlord stop charging rent or continue to charge rent?

Fieldsofgold

You may want to consider moving somewhere else - I think they're going to be very suspicious about this new arrangement.

quidsy

Your mil sounds like a real peach. So not only is your ex NOT going to be able to pay you child support due to his unemploed status but his mother is now going to charge you rent in a previously free house. The house you plan to raise her grandchild in.

I wouldn't be surprised if what you give her goes straight into his pocket to cover his expenses. Talk about a double kick in the teeth.

You are better off moving out & applying for HB & at least know that the money you pay isn't going into the ex's pocket

Caz3121

another vote for moving elsewhere, yes it is going to be an upheaval but it sounds like it will be the best option moving forwards

StormyWeather_2

Would there be any disadvantages to organising a formal tenancy, applying for HB and, if it's refused, sit tight until evicted? I'm thinking the only thing is the absence of a previous LL reference.

raphanius

i can do sitting tight been doing that for the last two years of the marriage. but seriously my mind set is changing thanks to the advice on here. i was clinging to the idea that this house is everything because i have such a low income and this house is so cheap i thought i would never be able to rent somewhere else on my income i don't know the situation with housing benefit if i move. how much of the rent it will cover etc. the cheapest houses around here are around £450 pcm

i dont want to move too far away i dont drive and my work is close to home. plus theres ferrying the boy back and forth with his dad.

plus it annoys the hell out of me that in the past two years i've scrimped and saved to put a stove in and have a new composite door fitted. if i'd known i would have put that money in the bank!

Caz3121

you could try one of the benefit calculators such as turn2us, it will give you an idea of how much help towards rent you will get

RAS

raphanius wrote: »

i dont want to move too far away i dont drive and my work is close to home. plus theres ferrying the boy back and forth with his dad.

Go to www.turn2us.org.uk to find out the benefit situation.

And regarding the boy; if dad wants contact, he has to collect and retun him. It is NOT your job to ferry him arround at dad' cnvenience.

RAS

Have you actually paid mother any rental money? Or signed any sort of rental contract? You may need careful advice on how to avoid making a tenancy now if you intend to move.

Once you are a tenant you have to give your LL the required legal notice or she can pursue you for non-payment of rent even if you are not living there.

Please speak to shelter.

raphanius

no i havent paid any rent yet or signed a contract