House Guest staying longer

Penguin_Biscuit

Thanks for the quick replies.

That is scary stuff regarding the police throwing me out of my own home.
I've looked on a few websites regarding taking in a lodger and I've not seen that potential risk mentioned before.
I don't think it will happen in this case. For a start, without me there, she wouldn't even be able to get to the shops.
But definitely something for others to bear in mind if taking in lodgers.

I am 37. Does that make a difference? I know benefits change at 35, but I am the house owner.

House Guest will not be seeking any form of employment. There are no jobs near my house. She cannot drive. She has a young baby to look after.

Obviously I cannot ask for rent, if she cannot get housing benefit. Well, I can ask, but she's got no money!

moneyistooshorttomention

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.

I don't know whether OP could thrown out of his own home by a stranger - but there are possible ramifications that concern me.

Mainly along the lines of I think there is every possibility that the DWP may decide you are a "couple" and tell you both that you are supposed to support her financially:eek: (despite her being a complete stranger to you basically).

Okay she's a different agegroup and different nationality to you - so that possibly minimises the chances of them coming to that conclusion.

However - I don't think you're in a very safe position continuing to take her in at all. At the very least - if you do decide to keep doing so - then I think you need to formalise it (ie as a business thing only) and as a way of ensuring she pays your lost single person council tax discount.

Add the fact that she is probably adding quite a bit to your fuel bills (all that washing for a baby)...

As for "why would a young girl want to live away from the bright lights?" - quite possibly because she's "hiding" for some reason (and...no...I don't mean from her ex-boyfriend either). There are a few people who quite like the idea of a "back of beyond" location - and its because they are hiding from their past for some not-particularly-savoury reason. In her case - add the fact she may not be here in Britain legally and she may have another possible reason for hiding.

This doesn't sound like a good idea to me all round - and I cant quite think why you are putting yourself in this situation.

Guest101

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

Thanks for the quick replies.

That is scary stuff regarding the police throwing me out of my own home.
I've looked on a few websites regarding taking in a lodger and I've not seen that potential risk mentioned before.
I don't think it will happen in this case. For a start, without me there, she wouldn't even be able to get to the shops.
But definitely something for others to bear in mind if taking in lodgers.

I am 37. Does that make a difference? I know benefits change at 35, but I am the house owner. - Depends if she likes older men or not...

House Guest will not be seeking any form of employment. There are no jobs near my house. She cannot drive. She has a young baby to look after.

Obviously I cannot ask for rent, if she cannot get housing benefit. Well, I can ask, but she's got no money!

Think you're getting the picture now.

(dont worry abou tthe police, it's incredibly rare - a combination of vindictive 'victim' and incompetant policing.)

RAS

Hi

The current arrangement may allow her to avoid the checks that are coming in https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/immigration-checks-by-landlords/

What you need to think about is that if you are seen to currently be paying for all her outgoings, (roof over her head, utilities, food etc) you are living together as a couple, regardless of whether you share a bed or what genders you might be.

If you then expect her to claim any benefits, this will go against her if she remains living in your house.

G_M

I'm not a Daily Mail fan but google turned this up 1st:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2518491/How-UK-visas-Ukrainian-migrants-rubber-stamped-just-minutes-despite-country-rated-high-risk-fraudulent-applications.html

edit: this may be more useful:

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/council/benefits/new_uk_residents.htm

Pixie5740

Each to their own but I cannot fathom why you would do this. You are getting no rent yet your council tax and utility bills will increase. What about food? Does she have any money to pay for that?

It's not just the money either. You seem to live so remotely that she will be totally dependent on you for everything.

I also wonder if one of the reasons she doesn't want to be easily found it because she shouldn't be in the country.

Jhoney_2

What was your cousin's plan after 'a while' was up? Their flat wasn't going to get any bigger in the interim.

Also why didn't your cousin direct them to Social services initially? I would have crossed them off my christmas list weeks ago for this alone, but I am not you.

You say you do not wish to ask for rent, then several posts later appear to be mulling over taking rent if she can get HB, which is it? It seems your ok with her staying for free if she has no money, but equally happy to take what little she may be entitled to, thus preventing her from getting herself and child into some form of secure independent living situation.

This is not good however you look at it.

G_M

If she is Ukrainian I seriously doubt she can claim Housing Benefit. Or Child Benefit. or Job Seekers. Or.....

You need to establish her nationality, and her staus within the country, let alone her right to make claims.

As an aside, did you see this thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5313997

Penguin_Biscuit

You mean "getting the picture" that the benefits dept may think she is my girlfriend?
Well, I'll tell them the truth and if they are not happy to pay any benefit, then that's fine. As long as I'm covered legally, I don't mind that much.

Yes, I suppose she may find a boyfriend locally. But I don't see it as a "risk". If she found a new boyfriend, he could take care of her and I would be back to normal. I wouldn't let a new boyfriend move in, obviously.

I haven't noticed any real increase in my costs. Plus it's nice to have some company, so I'm happy for her to stay.

No, I would not be happy with her ex-boyfriend turning up. It's unlikely though. She is a long way from him. He couldn't actually knock on my door, as I have dogs. He could come to the gate and press the buzzer. But anyway, unlikely unless, as you say, she tells him where she is and gives good directions.

In that scenario, she would probably have to go back to my cousine's flat. The main reason for her being here would probably have gone. But even if her ex visited once, he wouldn't be able to keep visiting, as we are a long way from him.

moneyistooshorttomention

You are being very kind OP - but I just have this feeling it aint gonna end well.

Lets hope I'm proved wrong.

So - as you're not getting any money from her currently - then what way is she "paying her way" currently? Is she doing all the housework/cooking/etc for instance?