Universal Credit as a couple with own homes

RobinHill

What stance does UC take if two people in a relationship are viewed as a couple (not married etc) for the purpose of a claim but each has their own home. I understand that if UC consider that two people are effectively living together as a couple then the claim is joint. Does the fact that each own their own home have any impact?
Thank you.

calcotti

Are they living together or not? If they live in separate houses they are not a couple for benefits purposes even if they regularly spend nights with each other. If they live in the same house then the house not lived in is a capital asset and if the equity in it is more than £16,000 then it will not be possible to claim UC unless the house is being sold in which case it can be disregarded for six months (or longer if considered reasonable).
The phrase for benefits is “Living together as a married couple”.

RobinHill

They have been in a relationship for less than a year, and spend most, if not all of their time together at one property or the other. However neither party wishes to sell their home for a variety of reasons, i). it has been their home for many years ii). the possibility of the relationship breaking down.