Lodger

mrkyle

Hello, I'm currently renting a 2 bed apartment from social housing and I have a spare bedroom and my cousin is wanting to move in to the spare bedroom for a fixed period of time I'm just trying to find out because he as learning difficulties his mother deals with all his claims letters etc will he have to update his details and tell them he's living with me as a lodger and have his mail sent here I won't be charging him to live here because by him being here saves me paying bedroom tax but he doesent want to have his mail sent here as I explained above but I have to inform local council and universal credit as I could be breaking the law if I don't.

Any information would be great thank you

hazyjo

How temporary is temporary? A week? A month? Year?


You'll lose your single person allowance (presuming you pay council tax).


Have you lived with him before?


Are you saying he doesn't want his mail sent there as his mum deals with it all? Can't he just send it on to her, or have her collect?

Comms69

mrkyle wrote: »

Hello, I'm currently renting a 2 bed apartment from social housing and I have a spare bedroom and my cousin is wanting to move in to the spare bedroom for a fixed period of time I'm just trying to find out because he as learning difficulties his mother deals with all his claims letters etc will he have to update his details and tell them he's living with me as a lodger and have his mail sent here I won't be charging him to live here because by him being here saves me paying bedroom tax but he doesent want to have his mail sent here as I explained above but I have to inform local council and universal credit as I could be breaking the law if I don't.

Any information would be great thank you

This obviously sounds like benefit fraud, his obligations would be for him or his mum to decipher - but in all likelihood he would have to inform them if this becomes his main residence

mrkyle

Not at all! that's why I posted the question as I don't want to break the law or unknowingly do so.

And yes I pay council tax I get 25% off and I also work part time

I will inform him that if he moves in he as to make this his main residence.

Thank you.

FreeBear

He can nominate an alternative address for his mail - That in its self does not mean he is committing benefit fraud. However, he does need to be careful. He needs to inform the DWP of his new address, but make it clear that any correspondence is to be sent to the current one. It would also be very advisable that he has a lodger's agreement to show the DWP.

Having a written lodger's agreement that sets out the terms of occupation protects both yourself and your cousin from any dispute. I would also suggest that he pays something, even if it is a nominal amount to cover utilities & loss of the 25% discount on CTX. The DWP may not pay any housing benefit (if he is on UC), so it would have to come out of the money he currently receives.

Comms69

FreeBear wrote: »

He can nominate an alternative address for his mail - That in its self does not mean he is committing benefit fraud. However, he does need to be careful. He needs to inform the DWP of his new address, but make it clear that any correspondence is to be sent to the current one. It would also be very advisable that he has a lodger's agreement to show the DWP.

Having a written lodger's agreement that sets out the terms of occupation protects both yourself and your cousin from any dispute. I would also suggest that he pays something, even if it is a nominal amount to cover utilities & loss of the 25% discount on CTX. The DWP may not pay any housing benefit (if he is on UC), so it would have to come out of the money he currently receives.

What protection does the OP gain?

Rosieandjim

They are trying to avoid paying bedroom tax

hazyjo

Rosieandjim wrote: »

They are trying to avoid paying bedroom tax

Legitimately. Not fraudulently.

G_M

A written agreement is always wise as it means both parties understand the terms of the arrangement. It should specify

* whether any rent is being charged
* whether a contribution to utilities is being charged
* whether the council tax (perhaps the lost discount?) is to be charged
* what notice period is required
* the frequency of any of the above payments
* any restrictions eg access to certain parts of the property, acceptabilitity of guests (daytime/overnight)
* contributions to communal /consumables
* whether smoking permitted
etc etc


Some of the above I'd catagorise as essential, some more optional, but the better the understanding from the start, the less likely for arguments or fallings-out later

See also

* Lodgers: advice & links for landlords & lodgers

[Deleted User]

When I stopped receiving tax credits for my son, my housing benefit was reduced as I had an independent adult living here. You don't just lose single person's council tax.

sevenhills

mrkyle wrote: »

I have a spare bedroom and my cousin is wanting to move in to the spare bedroom for a fixed period of time I'm just trying to find out because he as learning difficulties his mother deals with all his claims letters etc

If he does not work, maybe he would get housing benefit to help you with your council tax and utilities?