BTL for girlfriend on LHA?

Cautious_Optimist

fairy_lights wrote: »

But what would happen if you broke up? Things could get very messy.

You're right.
That's why I think it would be much simpler to not move in together, not unless we get married anyway.


My GF would still be a good tenant, as it's in her nature.

RAS

You do understand that it is possible to be a couple as far as beneifts are concerned and not actually live together? You would need to understand the rules (and 3 nights a week is not one).

fairy_lights

Cautious_Optimist wrote: »

That is another option, but we have not been going out for long.

I've never lived with a woman before and all my previous relationships have come to an end (often without warning).
So I'm nervous about the potential disruption to my GF and her child.

Well in that case is buying a house to let to you girlfriend really the best idea? If you haven't been together that long and have a history of unexpected breakups?
Being a landlord is a big commitment too, and unless you're certain you are both in this relationship for the long haul you don't know how things are going to work out. How would you feel if the relationship ended and you had to switch to a purely business relationship? Being a landlord to your girlfriend would be very different from being landlord to a potentially bitter and angry ex...

silvercar

The GF has a lot to risk in moving in with the BF while having a young child and being on benefits. If it all goes wrong she is left with a funding gap when her claim is put back together and there is upheaval for the child.

Being a landlord and BF is a bit murky - what will you do if LHA doesn't cover all her rent and she falls behind? Or if benefit rules change, or she wants to get a job. Will you then demand a market rate rent?

Cautious_Optimist

RAS wrote: »

Not really.

She stops claiming.

You make a joint claim if you are entitled to anything as a couple

I've no experience of the benefits system. I think they'd class her as my ''partner'' (ie same as wife) and I'd have to buy a bigger house and support us all.


I'm nervous about doing this, as my job at present is not as secure as it was when I bought my house etc.

Cautious_Optimist

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Would it be simpler all round if your GF just rented another place closer to you.

Yes, that would be much simpler. The problem is finding a LL who will take her on as an LHA tenant...

Cautious_Optimist

silvercar wrote: »

what will you do if LHA doesn't cover all her rent and she falls behind? Or if benefit rules change, or she wants to get a job. Will you then demand a market rate rent?

The plan is for GF to go to college and/or get a job.
I would still expect some rent. Probably slightly lower than full rate, as I trust her as a good tenant. I would have the same policy of low rent for any colleague or friend, who I preferred as a tenant to a complete stranger.


I'm not a businessman and I always prefer to deal with people I know etc.

Cautious_Optimist

RAS wrote: »

You do understand that it is possible to be a couple as far as beneifts are concerned and not actually live together? You would need to understand the rules (and 3 nights a week is not one).

No, I did not know this.
I thought ''partner'' was defined as a GF who lived with you, not someone you were ''dating''.
That's the impression I got from viewing council / benefits websites etc.


Do you have a link to where ''partner'' is defined?
Would be most grateful.

Cautious_Optimist

fairy_lights wrote: »

Being a landlord to your girlfriend would be very different from being landlord to a potentially bitter and angry ex...

Very true. An ex is often worse than I stranger.
But if she lived with me, the situation on break up could be even worse...

RAS

Cautious_Optimist wrote: »

No, I did not know this.
I thought ''partner'' was defined as a GF who lived with you, not someone you were ''dating''.
That's the impression I got from viewing council / benefits websites etc.

It's a fuzzy line between; it is possible to live in the same house and not be partners and to be partners when living in different houses.

Do you spend all your free time together, shop as a single household, cook and eat together, economise on the laundry by doing it together? How are the utilities paid?

If you have an alternative address where you actually do all those things most of the time then it is only a problem if some neighbour reports her. If actually you do all those things jointly and go home to sleep most nights, you are probably partners.