Housing benefits question

Sidraphael89

Hi there

Need a bit of advice.

I have a friend that's looking for a place to live for a few months and my sister is willing to offer her a room. Now my sister claims housing and child benefits etc and she rents the house through a housing association.

The person moving in, for an indefinite period, won't be paying the rent nor will they be paying any of the bills.

What does my sister need to do? Does she even need to declare the guest?

Would this affect her benefits?

What about council tax?

We ask because this person will be changing his current BANK address to my sister's address seeing as he will be living there for a little while.

Many thanks in advance

CIS

What about council tax?

Any single person discount will be removed.

Sidraphael89

Thanks. Any idea about benefits?

CIS

Sidraphael89 wrote: »

Thanks. Any idea about benefits?

She needs to declare any income but it's always best to notify them anyway as the friends name will start to pop up on any anti-fraud checks so easier to explain in advance rather than retrospectively.

pmlindyloo

Sidraphael89 wrote: »

Hi there

Need a bit of advice.

I have a friend that's looking for a place to live for a few months and my sister is willing to offer her a room. Now my sister claims housing and child benefits etc and she rents the house through a housing association.

The person moving in, for an indefinite period, won't be paying the rent nor will they be paying any of the bills.

What does my sister need to do? Does she even need to declare the guest?

Would this affect her benefits?

What about council tax?

We ask because this person will be changing his current BANK address to my sister's address seeing as he will be living there for a little while.

Many thanks in advance

What benefits does your sister currently claim?

As this is a HA property then she may need permission from the HA to move the person into the property.

So, why is this person not paying any rent/helping out with bills? Do they work?

It would make sense to do this properly especially since some kind person may deem it appropriate to report your sister to the DWP/council as having a partner move in. This could cause all sorts of problems with her benefits.

So, she can charge the friend and inform council/DWP that she has a lodger or add him as a non dependent to her claim. She would be entitled to an extra bedroom in her local housing allowance but some income from the boarder/non dependent would be counted as income.

Need more information re your sister's benefits and the friend's financial situation.