Definition of a partner for purposes of benefits

epitome

Guest101 wrote: »

Is it a romantic / intimate relationship?

Or purely platonic?

That would be irrelevant. Are they living together as if they were civil partners. A better way to say it are they living together as a couple?

Romance/Intimacy does not need to come into it.

epitome

kentguy07 wrote: »

Because since there is a mold issue in the only other bedroom we have to share the same room becuase the mold covers the walls and floor and even ruined the bed, the landlord ignores requests to fix many of the issues and I need to get the council involved in the disrepair

Do they/you consider themselves "a couple"? That is all you need to be concerned about

YES - claim as a couple
NO - claim as a single / no partner, living with a friend.

Then let the DWP do the work. If the DWP decide they wish to test the relationship they will do a home visit. If the DWP decide you are a couple then you have the right to appeal, but there is no comeback on you for having initially declared yourself single.

NYM

kentguy07 wrote: »

Because since there is a mold issue in the only other bedroom we have to share the same room becuase the mold covers the walls and floor and even ruined the bed, the landlord ignores requests to fix many of the issues and I need to get the council involved in the disrepair

Why would your relationship be a factor in making a complaint to your LL ? If you're renting a two bedroom property, then it's two bedrooms that you want to be able to utilise.

Read this Landlord refusing to carry out repairs

CKhalvashi

epitome wrote: »

Do they/you consider themselves "a couple"? That is all you need to be concerned about

YES - claim as a couple
NO - claim as a single / no partner, living with a friend.

Then let the DWP do the work. If the DWP decide they wish to test the relationship they will do a home visit. If the DWP decide you are a couple then you have the right to appeal, but there is no comeback on you for having initially declared yourself single.

That's it.

For many people, there is the distinction of having joint bank accounts, sharing a bed etc etc, although other couples keep one (or both) separate.

It may also be normal for housemates to have a joint account for the purpouse of paying bills, but if they have their wages paid into separate personal accounts, there's a lot less chance of this being flagged up.

There's no 'normal' living situation, which makes things more complicated still.

Topcat1982

kentguy07 wrote: »

Because since there is a mold issue in the only other bedroom we have to share the same room becuase the mold covers the walls and floor and even ruined the bed, the landlord ignores requests to fix many of the issues and I need to get the council involved in the disrepair

Do you have bunk beds then?