Wanting to decorate while on housing benefits

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McCartneyP
McCartneyP Posts: 1 Newbie
in Benefits & tax credits
Hi there,

The title basically speaks for itself.
I am completely oblivious to how this all works so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Simple question hopefully somewhat simple answer.
If your on housing benefits and want to redecorate your house how does this work? My friend is on housing benefits and wants to re-decorate his home, painting walls and buying new furniture. He is getting help from his parents to pay for it all. Would the fact he is getting financial aid to re-decorate his house from his parents call into question his need for benefits?

Thanks

Peter

Comments

  • BorisThomson
    BorisThomson Posts: 1,721 Forumite
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    Gifts from parents are not counted as income, so no need for you to worry.
  • tazwhoever
    tazwhoever Posts: 1,326 Forumite
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    Get it in cash, to be worry free.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,963 Forumite
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    tazwhoever wrote: »
    Get it in cash, to be worry free.
    Why? As stated, gifts from parents aren't counted as income, so there's nothing to worry about.
  • lisyloo
    lisyloo Posts: 29,617 Forumite
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    Your friend should ask the owner/landlord about decorating.
    The landlord might want to keep it magnolia for broad appeal.
  • Xbigman
    Xbigman Posts: 3,884 Forumite
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    tazwhoever wrote: »
    Get it in cash, to be worry free.

    That is really bad advice. If someone is given money by relatives/friends in cash and the DWP get to hear of them spending it (from nosey neighbours etc) it is much harder to prove where cash came from than it is to produce a bank statement showing a bank transfer coming in.
    When I give my daughter money I always put the reference 'DAD' on it just in case the DWP query anything.



    Darren
    Xbigman's guide to a happy life.

    Eat properly
    Sleep properly
    Save some money
  • tazwhoever
    tazwhoever Posts: 1,326 Forumite
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    Xbigman wrote: »
    That is really bad advice. If someone is given money by relatives/friends in cash and the DWP get to hear of them spending it (from nosey neighbours etc) it is much harder to prove where cash came from than it is to produce a bank statement showing a bank transfer coming in.
    When I give my daughter money I always put the reference 'DAD' on it just in case the DWP query anything.



    Darren

    I just thought getting money into account from others, might cause problems for OP. Where this money came from? Why?
  • Xbigman
    Xbigman Posts: 3,884 Forumite
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    tazwhoever wrote: »
    I just thought getting money into account from others, might cause problems for OP. Where this money came from? Why?

    That is a popular misconception. DWP investigators see cash as a big flashing alert that something is going on. They will dig way beyond a bit of cash spent on decorating. It is not worth the grief that will entail. A bank transfer and then purchases at B&Q on a credit/debit card that show a clear trail and usage cannot be argued with.



    Darren
    Xbigman's guide to a happy life.

    Eat properly
    Sleep properly
    Save some money
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