Could i lose my council house?

jonjon100

I've had a council house for several years. Last year when my father died i found out that i was a Deed holder along with my brother on the family home. It seems my parents made myself and my brother owners of the property years ago for inheritance tax reasons. Myself and my brother took over paying the Council Tax last year. The property is empty, no mortgage and currently on the Market.
I'm unemployed and get help with my rent and council tax?
Do i have to inform the council/benefits people about this, if i do will i lose my house? Thanks

McKneff

If you own the house, your shouldnt be claiming housing benefit, its for people who rent their house.

Who have you been paying rent to.....

Why would the council be accepting rent from you if they dont own the house

Ames

I think the op means they rent a council house but owns part of the house his parents lived in.

TELLIT01

You have stated in the OP that you knew last year that you were part owner of the house following the death of your parent. You had a duty to inform your local authority and any other body from whom you are receiving benefits. e.g. DWP if you are in receipt of JSA, ESA, IS.
The least you are likely to have to do is repay any benefits received once probate on the property had been secured. You definitely need to contact everybody immediately to correct the situation.
I would think that a fine of some sort is highly likely given the long delay in reporting the change of circumstances.

NYM

General question..:)

If the house is on the market, how long is it disregarded for?

missbiggles1

TELLIT01 wrote: »

You have stated in the OP that you knew last year that you were part owner of the house following the death of your parent. You had a duty to inform your local authority and any other body from whom you are receiving benefits. e.g. DWP if you are in receipt of JSA, ESA, IS.
The least you are likely to have to do is repay any benefits received once probate on the property had been secured. You definitely need to contact everybody immediately to correct the situation.
I would think that a fine of some sort is highly likely given the long delay in reporting the change of circumstances.

On his other thread, the OP says that this house has been in their names since 1986 so I think there are likely to be enormous consequences to him from owning a property for 30 years and claiming benefits for what might be have been a very long period.

"My parents put the property in our names in 1986 i think to avoid inheritance Tax."
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5532718

Diary

You need to come fully clean about this immediately - today - don't carry on trying to hide these assets. At worst you'll have to repay some housing benefit.

Bogalot

Diary wrote: »

You need to come fully clean about this immediately - today - don't carry on trying to hide these assets. At worst you'll have to repay some housing benefit.

Given the length of time involved I would expect, at the very least, an administrative penalty on top of the repayment. OP does need to inform the DWP, LA immediately, but should expect an investigation into his failure to declare capital.

Placitasgirl

The OP mentions that he's had a council house "for several years". If this was allocated since 1986 then surely there would have been some impact on the validity of his application if his (part) ownership of a property was not declared? Would the local authority not consider this in awarding points for eligibility or need?

Surely council homes are allocated to those in need and not those who already own or part own private property?

Ames

NYM wrote: »

General question..:)

If the house is on the market, how long is it disregarded for?

There isn't a general answer to that, it depends on various circumstances.

curty510

Here we have another person claiming benefits and homed at public expense, whilst owning a 50% share in a property. The reason for ownership, by the OPs own admission was for tax avoidance. Once the house is sold, i imagine the OP will probably be asking for tips to avoid the old deprivation of capital.............

Can some please remind me why all these benefit caps/cuts are unfair again?