House Guest staying longer

Penguin_Biscuit

Jhoney wrote: »

...where your cousin dropped her off with a virtual stranger to her (you), who waived due diligence and rent money for some platonic company.

Why does this seem to be a good idea at all?

I'm not sure what you mean.

Is the cost of the nappies worth having someone around the house to chat to and look after the place?

Yes.

Penguin_Biscuit

Gigervamp wrote: »

Well then, she needs to go to English classes. There might be free English as a second language classes. Check your local council's website. And after you've checked that she's here legally, see if she can claim benefits.

I think that's a bit unrealistic.

NYM

I'm sorry, and I may be the only one that thinks it, but this whole scenario 'smells off'....

thorsoak

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?
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?

Do you really know if she is who she is and where she is from? Is she here legally (if from the EU, then the answer is yes) - but will she be entitled to any benefits?

This may open a whole new can of worms.

Penguin_Biscuit

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

So she doesn't get Child Benefit - £20.70 per week, doesn't get Child Tax Credits - £2780 per year and doesn't get any social security benefits - £57.90 per week.

She should be getting £6867 per year or about £132 per week if she qualifies for help from the UK Taxpayer. If she has a baby why hasn't she claimed any help? If she claims Housing Benefit her immigration status will be looked at and a Habitual Residency Test undertaken. If she doesn't qualify for Child Benefit, Tax Credits of any other Social Security Benefit then she won't qualify for any Housing Benefit.

Have you asked her if she has claimed what she should be getting - if not - why not.

She has turned up in a foreign Country and with no income and no visible means of support she has secured herself a home and someone who will pay for her food, toiletries etc.

She was with her boyfriend until recently.
So I have no idea what she would have been entitled to living together with him.

She has not just turned up in the UK. She's been here for a while.

Gigervamp

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

I think that's a bit unrealistic.

WHAT? Why?

Penguin_Biscuit

thorsoak wrote: »

Do you really know if she is who she is and where she is from? Is she here legally (if from the EU, then the answer is yes) - but will she be entitled to any benefits?

This may open a whole new can of worms.

No. I haven't checked her ID.
Is that something you do when a relative and their friend come to stay with you for a while?

Penguin_Biscuit

NYM wrote: »

I'm sorry, and I may be the only one that thinks it, but this whole scenario 'smells off'....

No. It's actually quite simple.
My cousine knew someone who needed somewhere to stay and I had space.
Now she's stayed longer than expected.

She hasn't started making up lies about me beating her and I haven't been thrown out of my own home.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

She was with her boyfriend until recently.
So I have no idea what she would have been entitled to living together with him.

She has not just turned up in the UK. She's been here for a while.

How long has she been here - when did she arrive 'a while' could be months, years or decades? Have you seen her passport? Are there any immigration stamps or visas on it? Does she have a National Insurance number? was her child born here? Why hasn't she claimed any UK Benefits or Allowances? Has she claimed UK residency? Is the Father of her child paying her any maintenance?

Mojisola

If she's entitled to benefits, she should be claiming Child Benefit.