House purchase

Siriussaver

Not sure if I’ve picked the right category sorry.

I can’t work due to long term disability. I am on UC LCWRA and PIP. Me and my boyfriend are planning to move in together, and have even managed between us to save a deposit to buy a house. I am currently in a tiny council flat (not big enough for us both) and he lives with his parents. He is working so we know my UC will be affected when we live together, that’s not the problem. We have found a house we love and can afford, but needs some work doing, I know owning a house that you don’t live in also effects UC, but was wondering wether there was any sort of grace period when you can’t move in yet due to repairs. And at what point during the house purchase should I inform UC and my housing association that I am moving, obviously don’t have a move in date yet, or even a completion date.
Any guidance is appreciated.

Newcad

Presumably the monies already saved/held for the deposit are in his name only, otherwise they would/should already affect your UC, depending on how much you have saved between you.

If they are saved in his name only then until you are actually living together it is not counted for your UC.

Of course if the money is already saved jointly in your names then that's a different kettle of fish.

As far as I can see then as long as long as the house purchase is in his name and you live seperately until the house is ready to move into then there is no problem, except possibly if its bought on a joint mortgage.

Once you do move in together (in the new house or before) then that's a change of circumstances that you need to report to UC.

peteuk

As OP has said, the house needs work and if on a joint mortgage it will be classed as a second home if they are not living in it. 

As for the value of the capital then I’m not sure how that is calculated. 

HillStreetBlues

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/376/schedule/10

4.—(1) Premises that a person intends to occupy as their home where—

(a)the person has acquired the premises within the past 6 months but not yet taken up occupation;

(b)the person is taking steps to obtain possession and has commenced those steps within the past 6 months; or

(c)the person is carrying out essential repairs or alterations required to render the premises fit for occupation and these have been commenced within the past 6 months.

As for the value of the capital then I’m not sure how that is calculated. 

DM Guide https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/654111fb1f1a60000d360b54/admh2.pdf

Premises intended to be occupied
H2111 Premises that a person intends to occupy as their home shall be disregarded in calculating that
person’s capital where the person
1. has acquired the premises within the last 6 months but has not yet taken up occupation or
2. is taking steps to obtain possession and they began those steps within the past 6 months or
3. is carrying out essential repairs or alterations in order to make the premises fit for occupation and
these have been commenced within the last 6 months1
.

6 month disregard, can be extended with good reason

Siriussaver

Thank you all so much for your input, especially @HillStreetBlues, that is exactly the information I have been looking for for months, thank you so much. To clear a few things up, it will be a joint mortgage, and we have both saved for the deposit separately, his contribution obviously larger than mine but we’re ok with that, and my contribution less than the UC threshold, which I have been keeping them aware of since I started saving.