Lodger gone, bit of a mess

lost_for_words

I told him twice in the space of 10 days I needed him to pay me 60 a week instead of the £40 he had been paying. Reason for this was he was the only reason I was paying ctax and service charges. He has been put in a centre one night and a different one last night. Hes not happy about this as its costing him fares. He said he was fed up with me texting him reminders and the arguing woke my kids up.

I unfortunately took a job and came off of jsa for a cleaning job 5-8am. What I didnt realise was how far a walk it was and I have a bad back also so I doubt jsa will help me now.

But to him. He never turned up for his 3 paper rounds he does, never even called them so they have sorted 2 of them have a landed the last one on me which is for £25 per week. Now hes gone and I am entitled to some or all ctax paid for.

Im really confused just now so can I ask 2 questions one for himself and one for me please.

I dont see why my mate is unhappy as he is getting a roof over his head and food and a shower. He also said some lady was helping him to fill out income or jsa I m not sure until I hear from him today. So hes 63 will they keep him accomodated or will they at some time make him homeless. I need your help as I dont want him coming back here and saying some made up story just to get back here. Surely this must be hes best shot at getting a room or place of his own.

And what would you do if you was me right now.

And sorry if it makes no sense

Many thanks

pmlindyloo

At the age of 63 he is most likely entitled to Pension Credit. Any income he earns from his paper rounds would be deducted from this. (I am presuming he has no pensions/other income/savings)

Guarantee pension credit would entitle him to HB so if you wanted him to continue as a lodger he could pay his way.

Having said that I am unsure from your post whether you want him back.

HappyMJ

Is he a mate? You don't demand payment from mates whilst helping them out.

He could stay as a guest/visitor until he sorts something out and not pay you anything and you have no council tax bill as guests/visitors don't count for council tax.

Just tell him to buy his own food/toiletries and that should do.

lost_for_words

Thanks pmlindyloo. I will see what he has to say about that. HappyMJ There are more that one meaning to the work mate in my book. He describes the one that only calls you when he has gone home to find his doors boarded up and I get a call while I am on night shift. He then decides to not bother going back to his job due to his cushy little life that I was a mug to let him. After a while we qualify for housing benefit and then he goes and gets sanctioned, next signing date he is told that he will only be paid £10 a week for a while so he thinks himself clever to sign off and then the housing benefit stops after that. That was back in july 2012. Since then he has only paid £40 a week even though he was earning over £150. He never ever asked if I needed any extra help so No I dont think hes a mate. I could go on.

lost_for_words

Bit of an update just incase anyone is in the same situation. He has been given a night shelter weekly list of venues that are all local. He is waiting for his na number to come through so he can claim whatever hes entitled to. He came round tonight to get some clothing and said he will keep in touch. Feels strange as hes been here almost 4 years.

I wonder if I will have trouble with rapid reclaim as the job was too far to walk to. I left at 3-40am and just about made it for 5am start so back was aching made before starting. And I was told I dont need to sign off as it was not over 15.

dealer_wins

I would be upset at a 50% rent increase too OP!!!

lost_for_words

So where in London can you rent at room and have full use for £40. Remember it was him staying here I had to pay these two bills in the first place. Anyway hes gone now so I have my flat back to myself and my kids.

lost_for_words

And also I have lost around 6000 since two years ago when he was getting housing benefit at £65 per week until he mucked that up. When I said you will have to pay what you can now that has stop and he initially offered £20 and I was livid. I will never be a business man. Lesson learnt. Anyway he is now staying in various venue night shelter until he gets something finalised. Lets hope he doesnt mess that up as there are rules and times you have to be there and they said if you are absent for 3 or 4 nights you will have to re apply back to the shelter. I really hope he gets himself in order as I do not want to receive a call saying the shelters kicked him. Im sorry I do not class him as a proper mate.

tomtontom

If he is not a proper mate then none of this is your concern, simply tell him he is not welcome and leave him to it.

lost_for_words

Im far too soft for that tom, can change the way I am. I met up with him when I was at an airshow and we only met up then. Then he ran in to a spot of bother so I helped him out and then for some reason he gets evicted and calls me. He needs his own place as I one day might want to sell up and move on. At least we are on speaking terms. I only wanted to help him out but he made mistake after mistake and it was him that slam the keys down and said Ive had enough and went, and my two kids who sleep in the living room when they come over heard all of it. Sometimes you cant win. I really hope he sorts himself out.

Nada666

dealer_wins wrote: »

I would be upset at a 50% rent increase too OP!!!

No, you shouldn't. It is to be expected in any situation where benefits are likely to be claimed - council tax and housing benefit are non-trivial and the base rent/lodge charged ought to include a share for council tax even if not due. This is to cover changes in circumstances. Any combination of students, part-time worker, unemployed will result in complications.

If you are in that situation then base lodging charge should be set at equal share of rent plus equal share of council tax regardless of who is eligible or paying it. All other bills should never be included and should be shared appropriately.

At the end of each year you may find too much has been charged and refunds can be given - but money should be collected in the first instance.