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Housing benefits question

CathA
CathA Posts: 1,207 Forumite
Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
in Benefits & tax credits
Just a quick question for a friend, I tried to find the answer on the government website but as ever, it's not easy to find!

If you are named on the deeds and the mortgage of one house, but live in another rented house, can you get housing benefit if needed? Thank you.

Comments

  • brewthebear
    brewthebear Posts: 292 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Photogenic
    Ask a stupid question Im sure you know what the answer is.......
  • Ames
    Ames Posts: 18,459 Forumite
    It might be possible for a short time, it depends on the circumstances. For instance, whether it's up for sale or not.
    Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,917 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    who is going to be living in the property they own or will it be up for sale? if there equity in the property?
  • Housing_Benefit_Officer
    Housing_Benefit_Officer Posts: 2,502 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    CathA wrote: »
    Just a quick question for a friend, I tried to find the answer on the government website but as ever, it's not easy to find!

    If you are named on the deeds and the mortgage of one house, but live in another rented house, can you get housing benefit if needed? Thank you.

    You could.

    Is the property for sale?
    Who lives in the house and how old are they?
    Is ownership in dispute?
    How much is the property worth and how much is the outstanding mortgage?
    Is it rented - how much rental income do your receive - if so what is the mortgage?
    These are my own views and you should seek advice from your local Benefits Department or CAB.
  • Housing_Benefit_Officer
    Housing_Benefit_Officer Posts: 2,502 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    brewthebear wrote: »
    Ask a stupid question Im sure you know what the answer is.......

    Perfectly valid question. Big problem is there are hundreds of thousands of people out there who haven't asked these sort of questions so have no idea that they may actually be entitled to benefit. You may think they are stupid but they are perfectly valid.
    These are my own views and you should seek advice from your local Benefits Department or CAB.
  • CathA
    CathA Posts: 1,207 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »
    Perfectly valid question. Big problem is there are hundreds of thousands of people out there who haven't asked these sort of questions so have no idea that they may actually be entitled to benefit. You may think they are stupid but they are perfectly valid.

    Thank you for your replies. This was just a 'what if' question. My friend is possibly being added to her dad's mortgage and deeds, and as she was unsure about a few aspects of it, I was trying to explain what might happen in a variety of different scenarios. This was one of the possibilities; i.e. if she moved out into rented leaving her dad in the house, what COULD happen if at any time she needed help with rent. Thank you.
  • Ames
    Ames Posts: 18,459 Forumite
    In that case her half of the equity would be considered capital for benefit purposes.

    Also, if the reason for adding her is some kind of forward planning for her dad, as a way of avoiding care home fees or inheritance tax, then they need to get proper advice as it could backfire.
    Unless I say otherwise 'you' means the general you not you specifically.
  • CathA
    CathA Posts: 1,207 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Ames wrote: »
    In that case her half of the equity would be considered capital for benefit purposes.

    Also, if the reason for adding her is some kind of forward planning for her dad, as a way of avoiding care home fees or inheritance tax, then they need to get proper advice as it could backfire.

    Thank you, that's what I thought. I've given her loads of info regarding this and told her to get proper advice; I was just trying to cover all eventualities, including the above. Thanks again x
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