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Shared House Quandry

Apologies in advance for how convoluted this all is!


I work full time on minimum wage, as does my partner. I currently have two teenagers at home - one of which is off to University in September. My partner is currently on SSP - he's been off work for a month with depression and there is no way of knowing when he will be going back.


We are currently entitled to tax credits, DLA (for both children) and Child Benefit for the youngest who is still in full time FE.


We have a four bedroom rented house. My partner has children from previous marriages - four of whom stay on a regular basis.


We have a friend with health issues who is currently on a low income and does receive Housing Benefit (which we are not entitled to).


We are looking at house sharing with our friend to help us financially (looking at when No.2 leaves home and all benefits go) but also at supporting friend.


We are not eligible for HB. Would friend still be eligible for HB if a lodger or joint tenant?
It is a private let so we are unsure if it would be best to go down the lodger or joint tenant route.


She has stayed with us for the past two months so we know that we can live together without any problems.


Can anyone offer any advice about benefits etc please?
Struggling on one day at a time.

Comments

  • Rambosmum
    Rambosmum Posts: 2,447 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    He should be entitled to HB still, unless you 'live with someone as though you were married', so as long as this isn't 3 person relationship it'll be fine. He won't necessarily be entitled to half the rent though and will need a watertight lodger or tenancy agreement, it would easier if it were solely in his name, so a lodger agreement may be easier.
  • Chocolatelee
    Chocolatelee Posts: 5 Forumite
    edited 23 May 2015 at 11:45AM
    Definitely not a 3 person relationship! :shocked:


    Having spoken to my partner he thinks that we can't have a lodger as it is a private let - but the landlord would let us have an additional tenant.


    Does anyone have experience of how this would work?
    Struggling on one day at a time.
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    What does your tenancy agreement say?

    - not that this completely prevents you having a lodger. But it's easier to ask the LL- explain what a lodger is and they should be fine
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