Lodger

Silvertabby

“ They are trying to avoid paying bedroom tax
Originally posted by Rosieandjim

There's no such thing as 'bedroom tax'. Housing benefit is set at need, not want - so a single person gets housing benefit for a one bedroom house or flat. If they want more bedrooms, they have to pay for them themselves.

Rosieandjim

I am only stating what Op said in opening thread, in answer to Comms69. Maybe I should not have used the word avoid of which I apologise.

onwards&upwards

Silvertabby wrote: »

There's no such thing as 'bedroom tax'. Housing benefit is set at need, not want - so a single person gets housing benefit for a one bedroom house or flat. If they want more bedrooms, they have to pay for them themselves.

Or if they happen to have more bedrooms, let’s not forget there aren’t enough one bed flats for everybody who is only entitled to the one bed rate.

HampshireH

You have a 1 bed need but a 2 bed flat and therefore pay a percentage of your rent (ypur room tax)

If you move someone in you won't get that room paid for. You need to charge your cousin the rate you pay for that room at least.

This is why people take in lodgers because benefits don't cover it.

He won't "save you paying bedroom tax" he isn't a dependant.

Kim_kim

Rosieandjim wrote: »

They are trying to avoid paying bedroom tax

There is no such thing as bedroom tax.

It’s a made up name to explain housing benefit being capped to the allowance the claimant needs rather than the bedrooms they want.

Comms69

deannatrois wrote: »

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.

It's not the same thing - one household vs two.

Comms69

Rosieandjim wrote: »

They are trying to avoid paying bedroom tax

Sorry that was aimed at me?


Use quote


Bedroom tax doesn't exist as was kindly pointed out.

FreeBear

HampshireH wrote: »

If you move someone in you won't get that room paid for. You need to charge your cousin the rate you pay for that room at least.

This is why people take in lodgers because benefits don't cover it.

If you are on a means tested benefit, any money you get from a lodger reduces the benefits from the DWP. So if you are subject to a "bedroom tax" (HB cap), and on means tested benefits, a lodger doesn't really help financially.

sevenhills

FreeBear wrote: »

If you are on a means tested benefit, any money you get from a lodger reduces the benefits from the DWP. So if you are subject to a "bedroom tax" (HB cap), and on means tested benefits, a lodger doesn't really help financially.

After expenses, such as half of the gas/electric and broadband?

Ratkin007

Your right to inform council and DWP. Your cousin can continue to have his mail sent to his mums as long as he makes it clear he is living with you. Doesn't sound like benefit fraud, just makes it easy for mum to continue managing finances, etc.
You have said you will not be charging your cousin but as you work part time and claim universal credit it is obvious you cannot afford all bills yourself. Currently you are subject to the bedroom tax which exists for social tenants (size restriction) which means a 14% reduction is used for calculating your entitlement for housing costs. If your cousin moves in, your claim may be assessed on the 2 bed need but you could be subject to a non dependent deduction unless your cousin is under 21; or
Is getting Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component at middle or high rate, or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP);
If you know what your cousin gets the DWP will be able to advise you.