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Help - WTC Investigation

12 replies

Cornit · 01/08/2019 15:36

Hi, sorry for the long post. Had a letter from HMRC saying Mr x is linked to my address and need to provide 14 months of bills, mortgage, bank statements, etc. Mr x was my estranged husband. We split years ago following child 1, but did have child 2 a few years later despite not being back in a relationship or living together. I've got all the things together but am now panicked as there are several links to him at my address. My home insurance still has him on, this stupidly was a policy we had on our joint house and when I bought my property 9 yrs ago I just transferred it over. I've actually never reviewed the details and it has automatically renewed yearly ever since, not even had kids on. The insurers have done me a letter to confim this. I've always had x on my car insurance in case needed with kids and took out a second policy for him (as a named driver) when he bought a car but couldn't afford insurance. The car was registered at my address for the insurance. Last year he asked if he could have his bank statements to my address following a disagreement with his parents. I didn't see an issue but when he took out a tenancy agreement later last year it has my address on as his residence, but guess they also did a credit check against my address (didn't know this!). All bills are in my name, it's my house, and I've never had maintenance or sought a divorce, wasn't my priority with 2 children, full time job, etc. Also he has suffered ongoing mental health issues, which is why he left after child 1. He sought help last year for this and we talked about how we could move forward. The doctor is providing a letter to confirm this and the fact that he talked in length about him not living with his children (or me). I have always actively encouraged his relationship with the children, his issues stem from his abusive dad and the reality was he couldn't cope emotionally when his came along. We did have a holiday last year and he paid for himself plus 1 child and I paid for the other, which is evident on my bank statement. I know this doesn't look great but we've never hated each other just underlying circumstances have meant it didn't work as a couple, but the kids love him. I am just really worried about how things will be viewed. I have read that the onus is on me to prove we haven't lived together and while he has wage slips and HMRC letters (tax code, not benefits) to where he lived he has never had any utility bills etc. as he's stayed with friends and family. Has anyone else had a similar situation? Months after him seeking help we have now moved into a house together - I've bought it (in case things don't work) but I added him to council tax, water etc as soon as we moved in and contacted Tax office to advise but before I said anything they advised the letter had gone out to my old address. As we spoke about moving forward together as a family last year would this deem us a couple as there was intent, although he didn't move in and rented miles away due to his new job. Feel so stressed and not sleeping or eating.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 01/08/2019 15:41

I think you are in a right pickle.

The facts suggest you are a couple and always have been. Living together or otherwise.

I think you’ve been foolish.

Nesssie · 01/08/2019 15:58

So home insurance, car insurance, bank statements and tenancy agreement all are registered to him at your address. You have 2 children together within that time period and went on a joint holiday. And now you are living together? No wonder they are investigating!

I would suggest you get all your facts and paperwork together, and produce a timeline of exactly where he has been living for the last 14 months (with witnesses).

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 01/08/2019 17:56

If he's been staying with friends and family and is still so linked to you, I think they'll likely conclude that he is still a member of your household and you're in a relationship. It seems that the lines have been very blurry. You may have got away with it before the bank statements; but that's rather damning, as is you paying for his car insurance - and if he's a named driver on a policy you've got on his car, you may well be fronting too, which is insurance fraud, but by the by here.

All you can do is send them the evidence and prepare that you may have a fair overpayment to sort out.

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Cornit · 06/08/2019 23:27

Thanks for the relpies, it helped me see how things appear (even though I knew not great) and what additional information I should supply and I sought advice with CAB. I will now get the info sent off, together with his wageslips, p60, tenancy (which he paid bills at but via landlord) and docs letter. Not sure if this will be sufficient, but hoping so.

OP posts:
YouWhoNeverArrived · 07/08/2019 06:48

I'm afraid it does sound to the outside observer like you've been a couple. I think you should be prepared for the worst here.

Cornit · 07/08/2019 08:09

Thanks, I am worried sick that will be the case and the whole situation has made me very ill, but trying to prepare myself. Having juggled full time work and children on my own for years I have not found it easy. For it to then come to this is really upsetting.

OP posts:
KnifeAngel · 07/08/2019 08:14

Unless your second child was an immaculate conception then you were in a relationship.

GreenTulips · 07/08/2019 09:13

What’s the time line here?

How old are the children?

The second one won’t remember daddy living at home, but that’s not to say you weren’t in a relationship.

SlinkyDogDash · 07/08/2019 16:09

Sorry I think it sounds like you were a couple. If everything was registered to your address and he was just sofa surfing elsewhere then it sounds like a typical rocky couple situation where one stays elsewhere some of the time but you were still a couple.

I would assume you will have to repay, sorry.

MiddleForDiddle · 07/08/2019 16:20

Agree with others that chances are you will have to repay. Was your husband working?

If he was working, with his income included would you still qualify for TCs? As it may give you an idea of any possible overpayment.

longearedbat · 07/08/2019 16:51

Any sane person looking in from the outside would say you were a couple, especially as you have just bought a house and he's living with you. Sorry.

Namechangeymcnamechange11 · 07/08/2019 17:03

You're going to have to prepare for an overpayment here. In the time that you've 'not been a couple' you've had a child together, NOT divorced him, paid for his car insurance, been on holiday, live together, amongst many other things. You must be able to see that you have been very foolish here. HMRC are unlikely to believe that you're not a couple.
Insurance fraud aside additionally.

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