CrystalGirl Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Hello all, I'm wondering if any of you lovely people can help me! (sorry for all the text) I'm newly self employed however and my partner currently is too, so our income fluctuates. I'm wanting to move in with my partner 'properly' I already stay there and contribute what i can to the rent/council tax. We have applied for housing benefits help on the advice given by the council (I would rather not claim anything to be honest, but until business picks up i unfortunately have no choice) I have been told today that my claim will more than likely be revoked as i am not a 'legal tenant', even after being told that being on the tenancy agreement wasn't an issue. There used to be two other people living in the house to split the rent with, one of them moved out after notifying the landlord, the other just packed up and left leaving unpaid bills, property damage, council tax & rent, all of which my partner had to sort out as he had no forwarding address or contact details. After ringing the landlord, they want £150(!) to change the tenancy to add my name on, but won't remove the ex house mate who did a runner. Very confused and feeling deflated at the moment as we can't afford £150 and bills etc as it's Xmas. Contradicting advice from the council hasn't helped either. Is there any way to get help with the landlord fees? Have tried ringing CAB but no joy there.
bioduk Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Inform the landlord that unless the previous tenant is removed from the tenancy and your name is added, you will be vacating the property. £150 does seem a little excessive! I presume the landlord is happy for you to claim housing benefit?
CrystalGirl Posted December 9, 2011 Author Posted December 9, 2011 They weren't even bothered that someone had vacated the property without notifying them, they're not that great! With regard to the housing benefit, the council person i spoke to didn't say we had to notify them, obviously i would as it's misleading not to. I'm wondering if they can ask us to leave though? The adviser wasn't sure and told me to ring the CAB. I thought £150 was excessive as my partner has been there 3 years and they didn't ask for any payment from the party who left during the agreement but yet ask the people left in the house to cover it. I honestly have questioned myself how anyone can de-fraud the government by falsely claiming as it's blooming hard to get real help when you need it!
Plain Talker Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 *mod hat off.* to ask that amount of money does seem a bit of a mickey-take. Phone Shelter's helpline and see what the legal position is. I can't see them being allowed to charge £150 if you get married and start living under the same roof, so why they can charge it for you making your relationship "official" is beyond me. Talk to the experts!
Ms Macbeth Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Contact either Sheffield Council housing options: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/homelessandhousingoptions.html Or as PT says above, ring Shelter on 0808 800 4444 (Freephone) 8am-8pm Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helpline
CrystalGirl Posted December 9, 2011 Author Posted December 9, 2011 Thank you all for your help It hadn't even crossed my mind to ask shelter, Having always been in steady employment, This is all new to me! Thanks again
Douglas J Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 Contact either Sheffield Council housing options: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/housing-services/homelessandhousingoptions.html Or as PT says above, ring Shelter on 0808 800 4444 (Freephone) 8am-8pm Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helpline All very sensible - you need to get some specialist advice as this particular tenancy situation is pretty complicated legally and it depends a lot of the actual facts of your case. Once you have sorted that out, housing benefit entitlement for self-employed people is always complicated, not to mention the difficulties establishing the true position with regard to your relationship. You may not be able (or willing) to pay for the advice you need as it could be quite expensive but if you are on a low income, you might be able to get free advice through legal aid. See http://legaladviserfinder.justice.gov.uk/AdviserSearch.do Mind you, the Government plans to abolish it for cases like yours.
Jeffrey Shaw Posted December 12, 2011 Posted December 12, 2011 A prospective new tenant ought not to have to pay the landlord's fees anyway; they should be built-into the rent.
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