If my boyfriend is my landlord can I still claim tax credits?

dnonomore

Hi all. New to this. My boyfriend (who has his own home) is considering renting his other house to me and my children. He will get a proper agreement drawn up and all the bills and rent will be in my name only. He will not live with us (but may stay over a night or 2 a week, when my kids go to their dads) . 

If we are not officially living together and he has he own house where he lays all his own bills, will I still be able to claim the tax credits I get as a single person? 

[Deleted User]

dnonomore said:

Hi all. New to this. My boyfriend (who has his own home) is considering renting his other house to me and my children. He will get a proper agreement drawn up and all the bills and rent will be in my name only. He will not live with us (but may stay over a night or 2 a week, when my kids go to their dads) . 

If we are not officially living together and he has he own house where he lays all his own bills, will I still be able to claim the tax credits I get as a single person? 

I think this might be one for the Benefits and Tax Credit board @silvercar.

csgohan4

Could be construed as contrived tenancy as he is your partner regardless of living arrangements if your claiming for housing benefit, unsure re tax credits

https://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/benefits/housing_benefit/eligibility_for_housing_benefit/treated_as_not_liable_for_rent

notrouble

Make sure he understands what being a landlord involves. See

* New landlords (1):advice & information :see links in next post
* New landlords (2): Essential links for further information
* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

As for your claim, post on the benefits board as we here only really know about property.

dimbo61

What happens if you and your boyfriend break up ?
Very difficult situation 

theartfullodger

Not sure we've heard the whole story: Probably just me, eh?

[Deleted User]

Its completely contrived in my view and you also know this too. You are testing the waters on here as to whether its obvious or not. Its obvious to me as Ive prosecuted this stuff for years. 

silvercar

Moved to the benefits board. Hope you get some helpful advice here.

calcotti

This is now a duplicate thread. See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6109343/can-my-boyfriend-be-my-landlord-and-i-still-claim-tax-credit#latest

dnonomore

Densol said:

Its completely contrived in my view and you also know this too. You are testing the waters on here as to whether its obvious or not. Its obvious to me as Ive prosecuted this stuff for years. 

I am purely asking to make sure I’m not considering something that is illegal. I am not “testing” anything. I have been a private tenant for 6 years and am hoping to move closer to my children’s school. My boyfriend has rented a house out for years now but it will be empty soon and we were hoping to get a proper commercial rental agreement with an agent. There are no special favours and I am paying full market rental. We have no intention of living together. My children are young.
im by no means an expert and everywhere I look online seems to give different advice. I was hoping to get some clarity, not accusations?
if what I am proposing is illegal then it will not be something we consider 

dnonomore

theartfullodger said:

Not sure we've heard the whole story: Probably just me, eh?

I am purely asking to make sure I’m not considering something that is illegal. I am not “testing” anything. I have been a private tenant for 6 years and am hoping to move closer to my children’s school. My boyfriend has rented a house out for years now but it will be empty soon and we were hoping to get a proper commercial rental agreement with an agent. There are no special favours and I am paying full market rental. We have no intention of living together. My children are young.
im by no means an expert and everywhere I look online seems to give different advice. I was hoping to get some clarity, not accusations?
if what I am proposing is illegal then it will not be something we consider