Housing benefit interview under caution

Sg1431

No I had it wrong they gave me the dates after my name was added in 2010 no one came for a review it was such a long time ago that I was confused over dates my last review was over a month before my name was added it's just now they want proof of rent payments all the way from 2009 and this is gonna be difficult as I have changed banks in between but hopefully I can get it

theEnd

Sounds good.

If they can see that you've been paying rent consistently and no change when you were added as an owner, I doubt they'll be interested in the chasing fraud.

Will be interesting to see if they'll want some or all of the money back.

Did your brother say anything?

Sg1431

No as I don't want to get anyone else in any trouble I know I have been paying the rent so I have not done anything wrong abd because people had been so good to me I don't want to get anyone else in trouble I do have another question though my original application form wasn't even signed apparently because I was show it in the interview how did they still make payments though?

NYM

Whether you signed the form or not doesn't really matter so don't worry about that.
Did you pay your rent through an Agent or directly to your brother in cash or bank transfer?

Sg1431

When my account changes from 2011 onwards it was bank transfer but I can't remember how I did I previous to that when I banked elsewhere that might cause an issue I may be called back for an interview again when I provide those.
I have a feeling they still may prosecute as the amount is big but the fact that I didn't keep any of the money should work in my favour I hope

NYM

Sg1431 wrote: »

When my account changes from 2011 onwards it was bank transfer but I can't remember how I did I previous to that when I banked elsewhere that might cause an issue I may be called back for an interview again when I provide those.
I have a feeling they still may prosecute as the amount is big but the fact that I didn't keep any of the money should work in my favour I hope

If you've done nothing wrong then they can't prove otherwise can they.

Was it paid directly into your brothers account and if so, did you give that payment a reference to identify it?

Sg1431

No I didn't give the payment a reference I will be going into santander tomorrow and try to get the statements ordered but they are from 2009 to 2011 I don't know how long they will take to send them out

FBaby

No as I don't want to get anyone else in any trouble I know I have been paying the rent so I have not done anything wrong

Of course you have done wrong. You've been getting HB for a home that you could have raised capital against! As a home owner, it gave you the right to sell the property (even if you needed to take the other owner through court to do so) and get cash out of it. Fantastic position when you are not even responsible for the mortgage payments!

What should it be one rule for you and one for anyone else? Home owners can't claim HB for a reason! It is still not clear whether you are now sole owner or shared owner with your brother.

FBaby

Sg1431 wrote: »

No I didn't give the payment a reference I will be going into santander tomorrow and try to get the statements ordered but they are from 2009 to 2011 I don't know how long they will take to send them out

How will you prove that this was for rent rather than payment towards the mortgage?

NYM

Sg1431 wrote: »

No I didn't give the payment a reference I will be going into santander tomorrow and try to get the statements ordered but they are from 2009 to 2011 I don't know how long they will take to send them out

Santander may charge for copies if they've been archived, could be quite costly for you

Was it paid into your brothers account ? If he keeps copies of his statements, he mightbe able to show the regular payment from you for the rent. Is he likely to help ?