Benefits and accommodation

[Deleted User]

A prosecution for fraud would be a possibility.

Alice_Holt

This is likely to affect your benefits.

HB & CTr - you could lose the 25% single occupancy discount, and be subject to a non-dependant deduction http://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/non-dependants

Tax Credits & DWP - If your friend has bank accounts / credit card details linked to your address this will create a
financial footprint. This may lead them (through credit checks) to assume that you are part of a couple, and not single
( https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/claimant-compliance-manual/ccm15040).
They may decide that you have been overpaid benefits / TC,
and issue you with an overpayment demand (or even subject you to a fraud investigation).

McKneff

Wow, how can you be so niave.

One day, possiby soon, you are going to recieve a letter demanding that you attend a interview under caution. You will be accused of fraud and you could end up with a criminal conviction .
Can you imagine the affect on other things in your life.
Name in the paper stealing from taxpayers
You would have to declare it on any job application
You wont get insurance for anything if you are found guilty of it.

Either declare it and charge him what you would be losing in beneits or
Tell him to find somewhere else to stay and to get his mail sent there too

Leah47

If I would declare it now, they will investigate when he started living here or I just declare the time myself? Will I have to pay back and penalties?

bspm

Leah47 wrote: »

If I declare it now, they will investigate when he started living here or I just declare the time myself? Will I have to pay back and penalties?

One would hope so.

NYM

Just be truthful when completing the form.

McKneff

Just be truthful and you will be fine....

just_trying

For same days I may accommodate a friend. Suspicion raised much and have there mail arrived at yours. Have you been caught out !!.

Started living here, haha. But he wasn't, was he. Caught maybe.

Get youre story right, though you've already admitted it......they'll look at what you've written through you're ip address !!.

[Deleted User]

I have had some problems with an ex.., he moved out but for a couple of years I still had various (and some official) documents arriving at this address. I kept asking him to change the addresses, he'd say he had but they kept arriving.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I moved. Obviously I live completely alone.

I didn't get into trouble for it, but I made sure I kept records of where he was actually living and proof that I could find that he had moved out.

I'd advise you to do the same.., and go to the CAB and clarify what benefit rules are in this situation. I believe that unless this person is paying rent you are ok, contrary to what people have already said, but go to the CAB and clarify this.

Benefit agencies can run data checks, and can spot evidence that someone else is living with you.

Alice_Holt

Leah47 wrote: »

Will I have to pay back and penalties?

That will depend on the benefits you are receiving and on the nature of the friendship.

If DWP / council / HMRC (for TC) accept that you are not living together as man and wife (see my earlier post), then the position is less fraught. You will (probably) have to repay any CT discount received as a single person, It is likely that the council will reduce your HB by a non-dependent deduction. Your friend would need to inform them of his earnings for the period he stayed with you (by producing bank statements / pay slips), so they can levy the correct deduction. If he doesn't co-operate, the council will charge you at the highest rate. (Go to the link I posted earlier for details).
DWP & TC's should not be affected if they decide you are not part of a couple. Your single status (and benefits) continue.

However, if DWP / council / HMRC (for TC) decide you have been living together as man and wife then they will reassess you as a couple, any benefit entitlement will then be based on joint income. They are likely to view the payments you have recieved as a single person as overpayments.

I think you need to talk with your friend, will he co-operate in giving income details?
You need to go through the living together as man and wife criteria very carefully, and (hopefully) establish that this does not apply. Prepare your evidence so you can counter any DWP / HMRC decision to the contrary. Your local CAB may be able to help you appeal a DWP living together as man and wife decision.