advice: flat mate pays rent I pay bills to amount equivalent

Dortmund

Hello
So I've recently claimed universal credit
I moved into a flat where the rent is 450.
I stated I pay half 225 as I have my ex living with me. We are on good terms and at the start it was easier for her to pay the rent and me pay all the other bills (council tax water electric good ect)
I went for my appointment and the man said they might want to see proof (bank statement) of me paying the rent..
What's likely to be the outcome? It's got me slightly worried.
I hope I've explained myself properly.
Thanks

pmlindyloo

Who is on the tenancy agreement? Is it a joint tenancy?

Dortmund

Joint tenancy. Both of us. We were a couple when we moved in. We are now now. The landlady is aware that she pays it and I am paying all the bills.
If they need evidence I obviously don't have any but am fully okay with paying half and just halfing all bills. In our situation it was easier for her to pay the it all. And me do everything else. I work 15 hours.
The man said they might not even ask but it's worrying me. I like to be above board and honest

Dortmund

We are now not a couple* we split Jan last year but it's easier to just stay in the flat instead of going back to our parents

calcotti

Regardless of how you manage the payments I think the fact that you are named on the tenancy will establish liability to pay half the rent and therefore entitlement to help with that.


Establishing that you are not a couple and that you are entitled to claim as a single person may be more difficult, or have UC accepted that. How many bedrooms do you have?

Dortmund

calcotti wrote: »

Regardless of how you manage the payments I think the fact that you are named on the tenancy will establish liability to pay half the rent and therefore entitlement to help with that.


Establishing that you are not a couple and that you are entitled to claim as a single person may be more difficult, or have UC accepted that. How many bedrooms do you have?

Sorry I'm very new to this. So are you saying that as I'm on the tenancy agreement that even if the payments are done differently that I should still be able to get help?
It's a one bedroom flat. The man did ask that and I mentioned that we alternate between bedroom and me on the couch. Which is true. The majority of the time I let my ex have the bedroom

TELLIT01

Rent payment will often be made from one account, rather than each person on the tenancy paying half directly, so that shouldn't be a great problem. The much bigger problem is going to be convincing UC that you are no longer a couple when you are paying all the bills.
A bit of a generalisation but, to prove a single claim following the split from a partner and continuing to occupy the same property, it will be necessary to show that all finances are separate, you don't share sleeping and living accommodation and that you don't eat and socialise on a regular basis.

Dortmund

But the thing is when we moved in she was earning slightly more than me. Still not alot 600 a month so she paid the rent and I paid for literally everything else which is just under the 450 rent and we just left it like that because we are still good friends and instead of having to set up different direct debits and stuff we just left it the same. That's why I'm worry as you said it's necessary to show finances are seperate which there not but they kinda are. We don't have a joint account. She has her money I have mine and from living together 2 years previously ive just continued the routine of buying groceries and doing everything literally the same apart from we are no longer in a relationship.
The other thing is we are like best friends. I mean if she wants to get another boyfriend then yeah go for it but we sit and watch TV. I'll cook my meals she will cook hers. Different times sometimes but the same time others. It's a strange situation and could come across to some as we are partners but we are not. I sleep on the sofa and she sleeps in the bedroom. I don't really know how else to explain. Sorry for the confusion

calcotti

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Rent payment will often be made from one account, rather than each person on the tenancy paying half directly, so that shouldn't be a great problem. The much bigger problem is going to be convincing UC that you are no longer a couple .

Completely agree with this.

NeilCr

calcotti wrote: »

Completely agree with this.

And me

Notoriously hard to do with DWP

calcotti

OP may wish to look through this https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661551/adme4.pdf


Paragraph E4109 may be of assistance, but E4103 is not.