Lodging, but need a house. Help!

dazg17

Hi, im new here

I currently live with sister at her place, we need to tell the council as she claims benefits ect. How will things change for example: what will i pay? (I work 30 hours a week @£7.70 ph) I need to move asap but I cannot register to council as iv not lived in area for 2 years. What can I do, i feel stuck!

Im more scared because I pay my sister £100 a month and I know the council will charge me. My sister thinks around £200. Paying £300 a month would be hard for me as a lodger.

Any advice would be great

DCFC79

dazg17 wrote: »

Hi, im new here

I currently live with sister at her place, we need to tell the council as she claims benefits ect. How will things change for example: what will i pay? (I work 30 hours a week @£7.70 ph) I need to move asap but I cannot register to council as iv not lived in area for 2 years. What can I do, i feel stuck!

Im more scared because I pay my sister £100 a month and I know the council will charge me. My sister thinks around £200. Paying £300 a month would be hard for me as a lodger.

Any advice would be great

What would the council charge you for ?

harrys_dad

You would do better to ask on the benefits board what the rate for a non dependent deduction would be. It is likely your sister will also lose single occupancy reduction for council tax.

dazg17

My sister lives with her partner and 2 children under age 5. Non of them work.
Wouldnt council charge my sister rent meaning i have to pay her more?

[Deleted User]

My 20 year old son gets £126 ESA and I have to pay nearly £12 extra rent (HB reduction) as he counts as an independent adult.

You or she could do a benefits calculation https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

This might tell you what the amount needing to be paid would be. I'm not sure if it allows for independent adults living in the household. But the best way is to just go to your local council's HB office and ask. Don't delay because you don't want to find out there's a large overpayment. Its got to be paid, whatever happens so you might as well just face it rather than putting it off because you are scared, less hassle in the long run.

dazg17

iv not long just moved in but my sister made it clear i need to hurry up and move. im just worried while trying to get an house id be charged over the odds by my sister due to rent and ct as she says id have to pay around 50 a week extra ontop of my 100 a month

[Deleted User]

£100 a month is a fairly low rent. Its probably worrying her. As a person on benefits I know what a nightmare it is to have no spare money for 'suprises' like paying back overpayments. Her first responsibility is to keep HER kids housed and fed. She wants to help you too, but not at a cost to her kids. Try to understand that.

If you had to pay a bit more, (please don't think I am suggesting this arrogantly, I did it when I was your age), get a second job. I honestly have done it when I didn't have kids myself. If I needed more money to save, whatever, there was no choice.

The council are unlikely to ask for an extra £300 a month but I can't guess at what they will ask. Try the benefits calculator. But at the end of the day, your sister could get into trouble having you there, it only takes a neighbour to phone the housing department. And then its on her to pay the overpayment. Try and help her, she's trying to help you, she's not trying to make you pay 'too high a rent' she's just trying to survive.

Think it through, you are worried about paying £300 a month to your sister, but seem to think you can pay rent on a full house and council tax etc. It adds up. Is it realistic? You might have to look at house shares instead. Unless you are prepared to improve your career chances or get a second job.

[Deleted User]

I am sorry to be the bearer of yet more bad news, but unless your council has a lot of studio/single bed flats on its list, you will need to show a 'need' to be able to get a council house/flat. Quite often they are difficult to get but not with all councils. Look online at your council's allocation policies, see if you have a chance. Quite often, with young single males, a council will not help too much with housing.

But you can do what most do, and look at house shares. Its not what you want I know, but it is more possible and its what a lot of us start with. I remember when I got my first tiny council flat.., on a low wage.., I had a terrible time trying to manage and led to years of never being able to catch up. Plus I didn't have a clue about so much lol. A house share is easier. You can work on improving things for yourself over time.

dazg17

course i understand that im very greatful for whats shes done. With my wage I carnt imagine id pay full for a flat (not house, my mistake) I have 2 children i also pay for and see 1/2 a week. Because of this and my current job it wudnt be possible to work 2 jobs, however what you said makes alot of sence.

If I look at the picture as an whole 300 aint that bad as my own place would be more money. I think its because at my sisters i live in a single bedroom and struggle to eat as she doesnt buy me food and when I think 300 possible is it worth it.
Im just worring over nothing most probably.

Question, how would I register with the council of iv not lived in area for 2 years with proof? ( Have lived here for 14 years back when I was younger)

dazg17

I came out of a 10 year relationship last year and I lived with her and my 2 kids in our own place. I wish i was young im almost 30. As im ment to have my children every 2 weeks on a weekend house share is not a option ( i think)

[Deleted User]

You might possibly be able to prove a connection with the area because of your sister and if your job is in the area. The council might be bolshy about this though due to the shortage of council housing. They do gate keep and tell you something that should be possible isn't sometimes.

But depending on the demand for social housing in your area, it could take years I'm afraid.

Try and find a way to improve your chances of good employment. I'm sorry, I know this isn't a lot of help, but determination can achieve what seems impossible. I went to college and uni at 26 (6 years of study - although that's an even harder option now than it was then).

I am sorry, I can see you are a decent man trying his best, and I know the system is broken. For now it looks like living with your sister is the best option. But you seem to have gotten £300 into your head. I really don't think it will cost you that much to live with your sister. Living with your sister, if handled the right way could be good for both of you. Plus you could look at the debt board on here, and the old style money saving board to see if there are ways both of you could save money and/or get more out of what you do have.

Go to the CAB and see if there is any help you can get, financial or with housing, with improving your employment.

They might be able to help with any CSA payments you are making or sorting that out for you as well.