Lodger gone, bit of a mess

lost_for_words

He is back with me now. He was in the advice centre where I was asking for a hold on ctax. Anyway, I waited very near and they called me over, I knew he had no chance of getting anywhere so I went over and they said can he come back to you and he can claim housing benefit and he does not need to be on jsa either. So they helped us fill out the forms and its down to him to take the appropriate id and we see what happens. I said to them if he can get housing benefit why cant you find him a room like mine. And the reason, a good enough reason was that he did not have a deposit and they cant pay that for him. So, one condition is he must open a savings account. Doubt if I will get the £72 per week though. Anyway thank you all again for your help and if anyones bored could you correct my grammar as my English is so poor.

God bless

BigAunty

If you read the homeless section of the Shelter website, you will see that in England in particular, there is limited help for the homeless who are single, without disabilities and dependents. Homelessness is defined as a lack of tenure past the next 28 days.

Basically, the council will not take action if he is adequately housed by you at the moment but if you serve him notice, then he can apply to their homelessness department. So you need to evict him to make them look into whether or not they will help him. As you are in London, you are probably aware that their services are over-stretched.

It's not a case of you simply turning up at the council offices saying 'please find him a room' as you have just done as they dont' operate like an estate agent but a formal process kicked off by a homelessness application is a different matter. They might give him social housing, a 1 year private tenancy, place in a hostel or tell him they have no legal requirement to help him as he isn't a priority for housing if are evicting him. Shelter will be able to advise him on his rights (or lack of) with regard to the council helping him out.

Many councils operate rental deposit schemes for those on low incomes or on benefits, plus I believe there are (or used to be) DWP loans for this purpose. Another poster can clarify his potential deposit options.

So you may have resolved the financial aspect of his stay through housing benefit but the best lodgers are driven, sorted, working people so I suggest that if you are not getting along, you serve notice on him. He's a mature adult so it's up to him to take action to find his onward place, you aren't a branch of social services.

You say that you find him lazy, exploitative and stingy. Are you aware that the housing benefit is paid directly into his bank account and do you think he will pass any of it onto you?

You also say you are soft, perhaps this is why he has targetted your kindness because you make it so easy for him to leach off you. You also state that for 'some reason' he was evicted from his last place and I suggest it was perhaps due to rent arrears and all the negative aspects of his personality that you are putting up with but which many people will not.

I say serve notice on him, he's not your problem, you've got to think of your kids, the way that he has shown little gratitude for what you've contributed to date.

lost_for_words

Ok He has hardly any documentation needed for H B. He managed to get a bank statement today and they accepted that and tomorrow he is going to get a replacement birth certificate ( just hope he does not need to much id there). He has no P45 or 60. No licence or passport. No house hold bills come to the flat in his name. This is going to be a nightmare. He managed to get someone to come to the flat last time and she sorted everything out for us but Im not sure how that was done. He is making a better effort but sadly its out of his depth. Any way please add any thing to help us on our journey. Im at a job club the next two days so can you tell me what I should tell him to do.

Thanks

lost_for_words

And I recently found his old housing benefit letter with name and address. Will that help.

Thanks

Almost-free

Why on earth have you taken him back in when you have said repeatedly you don't want him in your home? You sound very mixed up to me! Having him in your home is a complication you can do without , by the sounds of things. After all, you have stated he is very rude and ungrateful and not a 'mate'.

I think you are making a huge mistake! Think of yourself and your children first.

lost_for_words

You sound very mixed up to me!

Your right there. but the £72 a week will be helpful.

And I have been out of order ( spite ).

But he is knackered once I need the room because a lot of private landlords wont accept HB.

I am also sending his cv off for him.

So I admit, I went over board a bit but can you at least advise me on the documentation as he has a letter from the last time he was on HB so why cant they accept that.

Thanks all.

Caroline_a

Why are your children having to sleep in the lounge so that you can house this man? Sounds like you have your priorities all wrong!

lost_for_words

My kids dont live with me they only come over weekends and holidays. we have beds in the living room as we stay up late watching our favorite dvds. Unbelievable once again you cannot answer my question but judge me on my priorities.

Can mods delete this thread its done to death and going nowhere.