Property abroad and universal credit

Cefalu24

Yes, sorry, the benefit system doesn't exist in Hungary but he wouldn't go on one anyways. 

I am reading '29586 The period of disregard is 26 weeks or longer if it is reasonable. If the person has not disposed of the premises within 26 weeks of first doing something to dispose of them the DM has to decide if it is reasonable to disregard the premises for a longer period.' I suppose it’s down to the DM’s discretion? It’s not easy to sell this property because of its location; on average, it takes a year or more, and buyers can’t get every type of loan or mortgage for it.

TELLIT01

@Cefalu24 The actions you are taking seem perfectly reasonable.  The problem is more with people who put a property up for sale and aren't willing to drop the price if it doesn't sell.

Cefalu24

poppy12345 said:

Cefalu24 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Your brother would have to have LCW (i.e. via claiming ESA or UC) or be of pension age to make the property be disregarded on the basis of him living there.

But as you're trying to sell it, it can be disregarded anyway as long as the Decision Maker is satisfied you're properly trying to sell it  (I can't recall off the top of my head what factors they look for, but it has to be clear you *are already* trying to sell it, not just intending to try to sell it at some point).

 My brother has had LCW, has never claimed benefits, 

You said the property is in Hungary and LCW applied to benefits in the UK. You need to be assessed as having this by claiming a benefit such as Universal Credit. For this reason LCW wouldn't apply to him for the property to be disregarded.  

A property that's up for sale can be disregarded for 6 months, sometimes longer but as advised, you would need proof that it's up for sale. A decision maker will then need to disregard it. 

Yes, sorry, the benefit system doesn't exist in Hungary and he wouldn't go on one. 

I am reading '29586 The period of disregard is 26 weeks or longer if it is reasonable. If the person has not disposed of the premises within 26 weeks of first doing something to dispose of them the DM has to decide if it is reasonable to disregard the premises for a longer period.' I suppose it’s down to the DM’s discretion? It’s not easy to sell this property because of its location; on average, it takes a year or more, and buyers can’t get every type of loan or mortgage for it.

Cefalu24

TELLIT01 said:

@Cefalu24 The actions you are taking seem perfectly reasonable.  The problem is more with people who put a property up for sale and aren't willing to drop the price if it doesn't sell.

Thank you, that's good to know.

Spoonie_Turtle

Yes, it's about whether you are genuinely trying to sell it (clearly you are) - it's just to prevent a loophole of people saying they've put a property up for sale so it can be disregarded to enable them to claim benefits, when they don't really want to sell it and have it set too high an asking price and/or are rejecting reasonable offers.

Cefalu24

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Yes, it's about whether you are genuinely trying to sell it (clearly you are) - it's just to prevent a loophole of people saying they've put a property up for sale so it can be disregarded to enable them to claim benefits, when they don't really want to sell it and have it set too high an asking price and/or are rejecting reasonable offers.

That is completely understandable. Since I am about to engage an estate agent, and they charge high fees for selling a property in Hungary, what would happen if I were to continue selling it myself and not involve an estate agent in the process?