House Guest staying longer

Guest101

getmore4less wrote: »

I can see this ending up a mess..

Your cousin landed you with a lodger.

If she claims you are her boyfriend and have been hitting her you may find yourself homeless.

No he couldnt.

Literally she has no right to stay in the property

Penguin_Biscuit

Thanks for all the replies.

I don't think this girl is going to start making up lies. But if it was possible, how would I end up homeless? Would the benefits people come and throw me out of my own house?
Hypothetical situation, but would a lodger contract protect against this false claims?

I would charge rent, if she was eligible for housing benefit. That would make sense wouldn't it?

I guess I should set a date for her to become a formal lodger. For council tax, I presume it would be best to time this as the day she officially stops being resident in her previous flat (was shared with ex-boyfriend). How will I know this?

Regarding new boyfriend: very unlikely in this case. We live miles from anywhere and poor internet. Plus she rarely goes out, as she doesn't drive, no buses and has a young baby to look after.

This is why I am so surprised she likes it here. I thought a 19 year old girl would have got bored and left for the bright city lights weeks ago!

I have been thinking more about the baby's father and what rights he will want. I think that is why she likes it here. She feels unlikely he will find out where she is. I think she may also be keen to keep her presence here hidden from him. Hopefully, I can keep myself covered legally etc, without letting him trace her here.

My guest was born in Ukraine, moved to Slovakia, then to the UK. Her family are from Roma background, but I'll have to check her nationality. Does it make a difference? Her main language is Romani and Slovak.


Maybe I should book an appointment to speak with someone from Citizens Advice Bureau?
They may be familiar with these kinds of issues?

maninthestreet

I can see future difficulties - she isn't going to leave of her volition in the foreseeable future with a baby if they can live rent-free in your house. How long do you see this mother and child living in your property?

Pixie5740

Lodgers are able to claim housing benefit. In fact people under the age of 35 are only allowed to claim for a room in a shared house or a bedsit so being a lodger could make sense to someone under 35 and claiming housing benefit.

I'm not sure how her status as a Ukrainian national would affect things though. Does she have the right to remain in the UK? Is she legally allowed to work here?

RAS

Hi

It very much depends on her nationality; if she is Ukrainian, what documents does she have to prove her right to be in then UK?

If she is Slovakian, then she is an EU citizen.

It is unlikely that in either case she will have any right to claim any benefits unless she can prove that she is in employment or seeking employment and then only in the first 3 months.

Read this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5311945

Guest101

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

I don't think this girl is going to start making up lies. But if it was possible, how would I end up homeless? - Via the courts. Would the benefits people come and throw me out of my own house? - No that would be the police, followed by the courts.
Hypothetical situation, but would a lodger contract protect against this false claims? - Not really. Domestic violence isnt limited to just BF/GF

I would charge rent, if she was eligible for housing benefit. That would make sense wouldn't it? - yes and no. If you got a traditional lodger, you'd charge rent. It's the fact you charge nothing now, but might later, which might surprise people.

I guess I should set a date for her to become a formal lodger. For council tax, I presume it would be best to time this as the day she officially stops being resident in her previous flat (was shared with ex-boyfriend). How will I know this? - That would be when she transfers her post etc to your address (the simple version), or more complex, when she sees your property as her home. In reality do it asap. If there's no alternative plans for her to move.

Regarding new boyfriend: very unlikely in this case. We live miles from anywhere and poor internet. Plus she rarely goes out, as she doesn't drive, no buses and has a young baby to look after. - None of that stops someone getting a new BF/GF.

This is why I am so surprised she likes it here. I thought a 19 year old girl would have got bored and left for the bright city lights weeks ago! - Maybe she wants a sugar daddy?

I have been thinking more about the baby's father and what rights he will want. I think that is why she likes it here. She feels unlikely he will find out where she is. I think she may also be keen to keep her presence here hidden from him. Hopefully, I can keep myself covered legally etc, without letting him trace her here. - He has rights as a father. Stopping him from seeing his child (if that's his wish) is highly immoral.

My guest was born in Ukraine, moved to Slovakia, then to the UK. Her family are from Roma background, but I'll have to check her nationality. Does it make a difference? Her main language is Romani and Slovak. - Only if she wasn't an EU citizen


Maybe I should book an appointment to speak with someone from Citizens Advice Bureau? - Depends who you get on the day. But you never know.
They may be familiar with these kinds of issues?

Can i just check, how old are you?

DandelionPatrol

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

I don't think this girl is going to start making up lies. But if it was possible, how would I end up homeless? Would the benefits people come and throw me out of my own house?

Not the benefits people, but the police. It works like this [assuming you are male]:

She claims you beat her up and the police arrest you. You are let out on bail, with the condition attached that you do not go anywhere near her or enter her home [ie your house].

Now I don't know whether your claim to the house and her being a lodger is enough for Plod to see sense and tell her to move on. But if they don't, then plainly you do have the legal right to get her to leave. The question is the logistics of doing that because firstly if you tell her, you will be breaching bail and secondly even if someone else does it on your behalf, that could be construed as you harassing her while you are on bail and thirdly, you might feel obliged to leave her alone while the case wends its way to court or to dismissal by the CPS.

So you could be homeless for 6 months.

G_M

What the ????

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

I don't think this girl is going to start making up lies. But if it was possible, how would I end up homeless?As Guests said - you wouldn't Would the benefits people come and throw me out of my own house? You seem to believe the 'Benefits people' have all sorts of powers, and interest which they really don't. If anyone got involved in evicting you (which they won't) it would be the courts, at the instigation of either the police or social services
Hypothetical situation, but would a lodger contract protect against this false claims? It would make no difference either way

I would charge rent, if she was eligible for housing benefit. That would make sense wouldn't it? No. It would unnecessarily increase the burden on the taxpayer. Since you are happy to let her stay rent-free, why get HB involved?

I guess I should set a date for her to become a formal lodger.
?? There is little legal distinction between 'guest' and 'formal lodger'. Both are defined in law as 'Excuded Occupier" (ie not a tenant).
For council tax, I presume it would be best to time this as the day she officially stops being resident in her previous flat (was shared with ex-boyfriend). How will I know this?
I assume from this that you are currently claiming a sigle person discount?

From everything you have said so far

a) she is no longer resident at her previous flat
b) she is resident with you

So you are now no longer entitled to the SP discount on your CT.

Regarding new boyfriend: very unlikely in this case. We live miles from anywhere and poor internet. Plus she rarely goes out, as she doesn't drive, no buses and has a young baby to look after.
Poor girl. Well, I suppose she could always look for a local older man....


I have been thinking more about the baby's father and what rights he will want. I think that is why she likes it here. She feels unlikely he will find out where she is. I think she may also be keen to keep her presence here hidden from him. Hopefully, I can keep myself covered legally etc, without letting him trace her here.
Hmmm.... you'd be surprised how often the 'other man' finds out where she is. She makes a phone call to mum, who let's slip.... or whatever. Do you want this guy turning up on your doorstep? are you prepared for whatever that may bring?

My guest was born in Ukraine, moved to Slovakia, then to the UK. Her family are from Roma background, but I'll have to check her nationality. Does it make a difference? Her main language is Romani and Slovak.
Ukraine is not an EC country. Is she entitled to stay in the UK? What does her Visa say? It's also far less likely she's entitled o Benefits, but I'm no expert in this area.

Maybe I should book an appointment to speak with someone from Citizens Advice Bureau?
They may be familiar with these kinds of issues?

............................................................................

G_M

I suppose your scenario IS potentailly possible....

DandelionPatrol wrote: »

Not the benefits people, but the police. It works like this [assuming you are male]:

Does OP have to be male for this to apply..... seems a bit sexist!

Guest101

G_M wrote: »

I suppose your scenario IS potentailly possible....
Does OP have to be male for this to apply..... seems a bit sexist!

Legally no.

Realistically yes.

#Everydaysexism