House Guest staying longer

SusieT

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

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?

if they are staying for a short while (thinking 2-3 weeks) then no, but IF she is not an EU citizen then you could well be sheltering an illegal immigrant. If I was an immigration officer I would see a 35 year old man, living in a fairly isolated (from your description) spot, who is providing accomodation food etc for her and a baby, a man who has not encouraged her to claim any benefits, find a job or learn the language. I would take the position that you were either in a relationship or you were knowingly harbouring someone.
Seriously, if you saw that dcenario what would you be thinking?
Also, is the baby registered......

G_M

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/69088346#Comment_69088346

Penguin_Biscuit

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

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?

I think she came here with her family, from Slovakia a few years ago.
She did attend school here, she has spoken of that.
I don't think the father of her baby is paying her any money - she has left him.

Penguin_Biscuit

SusieT wrote: »

if they are staying for a short while (thinking 2-3 weeks) then no, but IF she is not an EU citizen then you could well be sheltering an illegal immigrant. If I was an immigration officer I would see a 35 year old man, living in a fairly isolated (from your description) spot, who is providing accomodation food etc for her and a baby, a man who has not encouraged her to claim any benefits, find a job or learn the language. I would take the position that you were either in a relationship or you were knowingly harbouring someone.
Seriously, if you saw that dcenario what would you be thinking?
Also, is the baby registered......

I'm 37 - so I'd be glad if you thought I looked 35!
I do feel younger since I moved to the countryside though - seriously.

Maybe I should find out a bit more, before I start declaring things to the council etc.
Like people say, this could be a can of worms.
I'm not sure now is a good time to "rock the boat".
I have renovation work to do. I will probably speak to someone in confidence, CAB or solicitor.

Glad I posted here now. Wasn't expecting some of the risks mentioned.

You're right, my house is actually very isolated. But the good point is that it is extremely unlikely for anyone to know who is staying there, unless they the occupant wants it known.

My cousine could well be a genius!

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

I think she came here with her family, from Slovakia a few years ago.
She did attend school here, she has spoken of that.
I don't think the father of her baby is paying her any money - she has left him.

You think but you don't know. If she arrived with her parents then she would have a passport. Once you have her passport you will know her real nationality. The passport will also show any entry visas.

She needs to do the following:-

1) She will need to make a claim for Child Benefit.
2) She will need to make a claim for Tax Credits.
3) She will need to make a claim with the DWP.
4) If you are going to make her your lodger and charge her rent she will need to make a claim for Housing Benefit.

She will need to do 1, 2 and 3 and then 4.

All of this is pointless though if she has no recourse to public funds and this can't be discovered until she does 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Guest101

G_M wrote: »

Sorry - I've had it.

This thread has to be a wind-up.

She hasn't got a dog as well as a baby has she? Is the dog sick by any chance? or has the dog died already......

Possibly.

But 19yr old Eastern European girl and 37 year old lonely man.

I can see why he's happily paying for everything!

OP is there any sparks between u 2?

restless6

This all sounds very dodgy.

Also if you think that a baby doesn't cost much then you are in for a shock as it grows bigger!!

The girl in question- if she moved here a few years ago then I bet she knows more English than she is letting on!!

Also, what would you do if her ex did come? He has a right to see the baby and you are colluding in hiding it from him. Not very moral is it?

I also wouldn't want to be in your shoes when the council find out you have been claiming single occupancy when you shouldnt be.

Also what about the baby's health checks? Is it registered with a doctor? Has it had immunisations and has the health visitor been informed of the new address? Is the babies birth even registered?
You could be putting yourself in a whole heap of trouble here.

Caroline_a

OP, you are taking a really naive stance on this. Others have told you of potential pitfalls and you choose to ignore or sweep under the carpet. This woman has according to you no income at all. So you are paying for everything. The baby won't get any cheaper - and are you still going to carry on paying for it??? She gets nothing from the father

she has left him.

- how on earth do you imagine other single parents obtain money from their exes?

Firstly this woman needs to claim everything she can - Child Benefit, etc for her child. She needs to learn English because that child will not stay a baby for ever and when it goes to school she will need a job. Are you intending to subsidise them forever?

Sorry, you deserve everything you get, you've had loads of great advise and are arguing each point. She can't be that great company if she barely has any English.....

DaftyDuck

Without any evidence to the contrary, why can't we assume this is just someone being.... kind!

OP, sure, take care, think of the downside, whatever. But, assuming this isn't a wind up (and I don't assume so), don't stop being kind.

There are still a few nice people about.

Jhoney_2

Penguin_Biscuit wrote: »

It's probably not how she imagined her life would end up.
But, since you bring it up, she has actually spoken of how she likes the countryside.

It seems I'm a mug for paying for a few nappies, yet also taking advantage of the poor girl - by not chucking her out?

She's 19 - life has not ended up anywhere yet!

Never personally called you a name OP, but advantage? yes - in the sense that when the suggestion/predicament arose weeks ago there should have been a discussion to establish what could be done that was in guest/son's best interest. That was the path to take and out in the remote countryside, with a baby and little English is not the answer to that as I see it. Well meaning perhaps, but not a solution.

Cousin wanted out, you wanted some company and she needed a roof/escape from whatever. That was as far as it got. It's what we can perhaps agree is convenient for all.

I am not having a dig, it is what it is, but let's be bold and just say so.