Housing benefit-england?

Question

My partner-who owns the house, all is in his name and I are splitting up, he's moving about 100 miles away and planning on putting the house up for rent, I'm going to call the council say I need place to live etc, I have 2 kids. Can I claim housing benefit for this house and pay him the rent? I would like to stay in this house as my kids are settled at school, its a nice 3 bed house etc and am not too sure what I will end up with if I apply to the council for a house (my friend has one and it was a complete dump when she moved in). Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Micheal P has the best answer, but i think i should get the 20 points!!

Answer 2

r they your partners kids if they are you may have a battle with housing benifit my friend had a son with her partner few years ago they split up it was his house he left and went back to his mums then moved away she wanted to stay in the house but they would not pay her rent it went on for ages she ended up renting somewhere else his sister moved in the house then and they wouldnt pay her rent aswell ,she fought them over 12 months and went to court they backpayed the rent owing ,result !

Answer 3

well providing you are splitting up and this is not just some way of getting more money coming in.

he would have to register as a landlord and you would have to provide proof that he's not living there or staying there.Chance are you will get one or 2 neighbours 'grass you up' and they will investigate, so it's not something you want to lie about, a women i know did something similar now she has a huge fine and criminal record.

Your name tells me your pregnant, so why the h**l is he leaving you and moving 100 miles a way!?! sounds like a prick to me!

Answer 4

alternatively you could go get a job like the rest of us instead of planning ways to make your life easier at the expense of my taxes.

Answer 5

If your ex sets up a proper tenancy agreement with you and maintains the tenancy on a business level only, then you should be able to claim housing benefit.  Yes, the local council will need a full declaration of the situation and will need to look closer at it to ensure that it is not a contrived tenancy.  Problems may arise if your ex remains part of your life in any way, i.e. he pays some of your bills, he stays over, you act as a couple in any way, shop together etc. And remember, he has to agree to evict you, just like any tenant, should you not pay the rent. The benefit department would need to be convinced of that.  Under the new Local Housing Allowance laws, the rent must come to you and you have to be responsible to your landlord in full payment, ex partner or not. You may also not receive the full market rent so your ex has to set a rent that is fair. But the bottom line is that the situation cannot be contrived in any way .. that would be benefit fraud.  Steer well clear of that and I cannot see a problem .....  

Answer 6

no reason why not, no harm in trying