Overlapping tenancies?

Blah41188

Hoping someone will be able to advise me on this.

I am private renting at the moment (living alone with my two children) and my tenancy runs until mid July. I am signing a new tenancy in mid June with my partner (he is currently living with family). So there is a month overlap - he has already paid the deposit and first months rent on the new place so no problems there.

My question is, I want to stay where I am until this tenancy ends as it is close to my sons school and he doesn’t have an offer at a new school yet. Am I allowed to continue claiming universal credit as I am - living alone, in this address, until I actually move? Or will this cause problems as I will have already signed a new tenancy and they may think I am lying about staying where I am to get maximum benefits for longer (as my partner works)? Should I just put a note on my account saying I have signed a new tenancy but I am not moving until mid July?

I guess I can prove I am still in my current address because I won’t be changing any of my utility accounts over until I move.

I don’t even know if any of this is an issue, I just worry about everything to do with uc due to the awful stories I’ve read.

Thank you

Comms69

You'll be fine. There is no central register of private tenancies. In essence they wont know; and it's quite common to have overlappig tenancies anyway. Staying so kids can finish term seems perfectly reasonable should it ever be questioned.

Blah41188

Great thanks for replying

tboo

Blah41188 wrote: »

Hoping someone will be able to advise me on this.

I am private renting at the moment (living alone with my two children) and my tenancy runs until mid July. I am signing a new tenancy in mid June with my partner (he is currently living with family). So there is a month overlap - he has already paid the deposit and first months rent on the new place so no problems there.

My question is, I want to stay where I am until this tenancy ends as it is close to my sons school and he doesn’t have an offer at a new school yet. Am I allowed to continue claiming universal credit as I am - living alone, in this address, until I actually move? Or will this cause problems as I will have already signed a new tenancy and they may think I am lying about staying where I am to get maximum benefits for longer (as my partner works)? Should I just put a note on my account saying I have signed a new tenancy but I am not moving until mid July?

I guess I can prove I am still in my current address because I won’t be changing any of my utility accounts over until I move.

I don’t even know if any of this is an issue, I just worry about everything to do with uc due to the awful stories I’ve read.

Thank you

When UC ask for the new tenancy and see the date it was signed for, the names on it and the fact he has paid the rent would this bring up questions and protential problems?


Best to tell them now, be up front and say you have signed for the property with your partner, won't be moving in yet because of etc


And you will also be liable for council tax jointly as a couple at the new place from the start of the tenancy

Where will your partner be staying, at the new place or still with family?

tomtom256

Its messy and could result in a potential fraud allegation for LT.

Based on what you are saying you won't be LT, however you will be liable for rent on two properties and council tax on two properties which doe's get data matched, so will cause issues down the line, expecially if you intend to claim benefits as a couple.

huckster

Your new partner will need to register a Universal Credit claim from the date you move in together. UC does not allow a future date to be added, so any new claim or changes to current claim have to be reported on the date the change happens.

What you have to do first is report the change of circumstances on your claim from the date of the move. So this will be reporting where you live/what it costs and also a new relationship. When you have reported new relationship with partner, it will give you a linking code. Your partner then needs to register a UC claim and add the linking code. You will then have a couple claim.

If your partner is on a really good salary, it is possible that you won't receive any UC payment and the claim will be closed. Use a benefits calculator such as Entitledto to see how you are affected. You have no choice, it has to be a couple claim.

In regard to any tenancy, this should be in your joint names, you just won't receive any UC housing until the date you move in together and have a couple claim. When you provide private rented housing evidence at the job centre, you need to supply tenancy agreement and letter/documents showing you both living at the address. The letter can be from landlord/agent confirming you are living at the address, utility bill registered etc.

Blah41188

Sorry what is LT?

Yes we will be liable for rent and council tax on two properties but the deposit first months rent on the new property I have paid already, I am not trying to claim for anything from the date I sign the tenancy.

Blah41188

He will be staying with family until I move in. The new property will be empty until I leave this current flat as we will be bringing my furniture

Comms69

Just to be clear a tenancy doesn't begin until tenants take physical possession of a property, whether rent is paid or not.