Can I claim Housing Benefit if I'm a legal co-owner of a property?

Mojisola

Gilganjn wrote: »

I can't go down that route though, I don't want to cause the family any trouble because I love the kids. If it was just my sister and her husband then things would be different, I wouldn't feel guilty about even talking about the situation, but with the kids I do feel guilty even addressing the issue. I don't want to cause the family grief because of the kids.

So what are your options?

Stay living in your house?

Commit fraud and claim HB and JSA that you may not be entitled to?

Sofa surf?

End up on the streets?

Gilganjn

Eejay wrote: »

I get that the situation is difficult, but this is a ridiculous idea. It's like saying, "I'm not going to take up a life of crime, but if I burgle a couple of houses then I'll be able to get myself sorted out and I'll not have to do it again."

You need to stand up for yourself - your sister sounds horrific. How would you discussing the house affect her marriage? The two are completely unrelated - marriage is supposed to be a union of two people who are in love, not a union of two people who want to share a house for really cheap and with no hassle from their sibling who owns part of it. If that's enough to break them up, then they clearly shouldn't be married anyway.

I hope you manage to get things sorted in a way that's legal. Stop letting people walk all over you!

I know what you're saying, it makes sense but it's an awkward situation. My sister can be a wonderful person at times but she has a very mean streak. Especially when she isn't getting her way. She was the first child and was sort of spoiled as a kid - that has transitioned over to her adult life - at least within our original family unit. To her friends I think she just shows her good side so they all adore her, she's actually a sort of people person. But she is a very self-absorbed, self-entitled person, especially when it comes the property.

The other day we had a big argument, she was screaming at me while her son was trying to sleep upstairs. He even came down and asked us to be quiet. I asked her to join me in the living room to discuss things calmly and maturely but she kept shouting, raising her voice and calling me all sorts of things. She even stamped her foot at one stage and referred to the house as her house (she said "MY house"). I had to remind her that it's my house too, not just hers and she just sneered and laughed saying it's got nothing to do with me.

I don't know what to make of it all, but I know perhaps I just made a mistake from the beginning all those years ago. Instead of being grateful for me not interfering with their life in the property they instead began convincing themselves that the property has nothing to do with me, and that I'm an insignificant party.

Newly_retired

I can't see that you have any other option at the moment than to stay where you are until you can get a job to pay your rent elsewhere, as you will not get HB to cover it.
When you moved in did you not have any conversation with your sister - and dad- about the set up? What does dad think? He would not want to see you homeless would he? I am not clear why he gets all the rent from your sister, as you should get a share too.
However if it cannot be agreed amicably I can see that it will be a difficult atmosphere living there.
But they owe you, without doubt.
As far as your back condition is concerned, if it deteriorates you could try to claim ESA instead of JSA. You might even be eligible for PIP, though that is notoriously difficult to get and is subject to long delays, so don't count on it.

Annie1960

Gilganjn wrote: »

I can't go down that route though, I don't want to cause the family any trouble because I love the kids. If it was just my sister and her husband then things would be different, I wouldn't feel guilty about even talking about the situation, but with the kids I do feel guilty even addressing the issue. I don't want to cause the family grief because of the kids.

But you seem very happy to defraud us taxpayers!

Mojisola

Gilganjn wrote: »

I can't go down that route though, I don't want to cause the family any trouble because I love the kids. If it was just my sister and her husband then things would be different, I wouldn't feel guilty about even talking about the situation, but with the kids I do feel guilty even addressing the issue. I don't want to cause the family grief because of the kids.

Gilganjn wrote: »

I know what you're saying, it makes sense but it's an awkward situation. My sister can be a wonderful person at times but she has a very mean streak. Especially when she isn't getting her way. She was the first child and was sort of spoiled as a kid - that has transitioned over to her adult life - at least within our original family unit. To her friends I think she just shows her good side so they all adore her, she's actually a sort of people person. But she is a very self-absorbed, self-entitled person, especially when it comes the property.

The other day we had a big argument, she was screaming at me while her son was trying to sleep upstairs. He even came down and asked us to be quiet. I asked her to join me in the living room to discuss things calmly and maturely but she kept shouting, raising her voice and calling me all sorts of things. She even stamped her foot at one stage and referred to the house as her house (she said "MY house"). I had to remind her that it's my house too, not just hers and she just sneered and laughed saying it's got nothing to do with me.

I'd stop worrying about your sister's children. She doesn't seem to have any qualms about upsetting them.

What does your Dad say about the situation? You won't be able to go on as you are - you need the equity from the house.

Eejay

Gilganjn wrote: »

...I had to remind her that it's my house too, not just hers and she just sneered and laughed saying it's got nothing to do with me...

This situation makes me quite angry and I don't even know you! Do not let people treat you like that! I know it's difficult but you need to find a way of standing up to her - it doesn't have to be right this minute, but you need to work on it.

What if something happens in the future and you all agree to sell the property, and then she insists that for whatever reason you're not getting your share? She wouldn't be entitled to keep it all, but it sounds like she could bully you into letting her have it. She needs a reality check. Her 'mean streak' sounds really mean.

Don't try and justify her actions; you deserve to be treated better - a million times better. There's no way you should have to consider illegally claiming benefits because she's selfishly keeping money that you're entitled to.

Has your solicitor friend got no advice regarding her attitude towards the property?

Gilganjn

Newly_retired wrote: »

I can't see that you have any other option at the moment than to stay where you are until you can get a job to pay your rent elsewhere, as you will not get HB to cover it.
When you moved in did you not have any conversation with your sister - and dad- about the set up? What does dad think? He would not want to see you homeless would he? I am not clear why he gets all the rent from your sister, as you should get a share too.
However if it cannot be agreed amicably I can see that it will be a difficult atmosphere living there.
But they owe you, without doubt.
As far as your back condition is concerned, if it deteriorates you could try to claim ESA instead of JSA. You might even be eligible for PIP, though that is notoriously difficult to get and is subject to long delays, so don't count on it.

My dad gets all the rent because he can't work due to illness. So the rent has always gone to him and I would like it to continue to do so, given his situation. He lives in another country and depends on others because he doesn't drive either. Now it looks like he may divorce from his wife (they've been married 6 years) and that complicates things even further.

Yes, it is a difficult atmosphere living there now. But I think it was sparked off by one of my sister's friends who's stayed with them over the years. She showed up again last week (they didn't even let me know she was going to be moving in) and she's sleeping in the dining room downstairs. I think they'd usually have put her in the room I'm in and that sort of sparked off the situation after they realized my presence was preventing them from doing certain things they'd done freely in the past.

Gilganjn

Eejay wrote: »

This situation makes me quite angry and I don't even know you! Do not let people treat you like that! I know it's difficult but you need to find a way of standing up to her - it doesn't have to be right this minute, but you need to work on it.

What if something happens in the future and you all agree to sell the property, and then she insists that for whatever reason you're not getting your share? She wouldn't be entitled to keep it all, but it sounds like she could bully you into letting her have it. She needs a reality check. Her 'mean streak' sounds really mean.

Don't try and justify her actions; you deserve to be treated better - a million times better. There's no way you should have to consider illegally claiming benefits because she's selfishly keeping money that you're entitled to.

Has your solicitor friend got no advice regarding her attitude towards the property?

I do actually stand up for myself if my sister starts an argument but this is what usually happens: my sister starts an argument, she gets what she wants to say off her mind, when I start arguing back or ask her to sit down and discuss things calmly she just sort of walks away, or says she won't talk about it anymore. Basically, she closes off to all further communication. So she basically says her piece and then won't listen to anything I have to say back.

She even said in the last argument that my opinion doesn't mean anything to her at all.

Annie1960

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/benefits_w/benefits_help_if_on_a_low_income_ew/help_with_your_rent_-_housing_benefit.htm

Gilganjn

Annie1960 wrote: »

But you seem very happy to defraud us taxpayers!

I have been a taxpayer for over 20 years. I've been on JSA for 3 months.