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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu -father wants me to commit fraud!!?

186 replies

pumpkinsweetie · 25/08/2012 23:32

As some of you may know, my father is also my landlord. Boiler was serviced 4 days ago and then condemned. We have been without heating and hot water for over a week due to boiler being declared dangerous by gas meter engineer.
Landlord/df came over yesterday, promised to fit an immersion and get me electric radiators until he has the money to complete it (apparently £4000). So fine and dandy thought atleast we were getting somewhere (sigh)..........until today: he has rung me and asked me to pretend i own the house so i can get a grant for the boiler!!

Wtaf: my own df is now expecting ME to commit fraud to save his own neck. Mentioned immersion to him, he said maybe monday, maybe tues.

Even if i went ahead with this crazed idea, it will not work as im not in receipt of any of the benefits needed to get one!

I obviously said to him i will be found out, he said "no you won't they won't look into who owns the house"?!!- knowing full well i recieve an amount of hb, of course they will know my name and address and know im RENTING
Wwyd

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 10:00

If you made this application and was found out, it may be decided that you are commiting fraud by claiming HB and you would have topay it all back, you that is, not him.

This has got to be sorted one way or another, by winter.

Do you realise that a criteria for a child needing intervention and being put on 'plan', is living in a house with no heating or hot water?

If you had cause to phone the doctor and it was asked why the house is cold, or you were using electric fires, you would be refered to SS?

Because you are inflicting this upon your children, by not taking action.

People live like this out of desperation and need, your DF is doing it out of greed, you need to put a stop to this.

I would speak to him over the bank holiday and make plans on Tuesday, if you do not hear what you need it.

Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 10:02

The council will want to know why you are not taking the action and reporting him for not carrying out his duties as a Landlord.

As a tenancy is a two way contract.

fergoose · 26/08/2012 10:04

Why is she committing fraud - I don't understand? If the housing benefit is claimed correctly for a valid tenancy then that isn't fraud!

RubixCube · 26/08/2012 10:07

Report him.I'll stick by you.I'll tell him he deserves it for putting yours and my nieces lifes at risk and tell him how disgusting he is if you get any phone calls.

RubixCube · 26/08/2012 10:08

She's not commiting fraud as they know she rents of her father

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 10:09

Birdsgotafly: thats not true nor helpful

OP posts:
Dancergirl · 26/08/2012 10:11

OMG, your own FATHER is charging you money for somewhere dangerous and he now wants you to LIE??

I am speechless Sad

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 10:13

Exactly DancerGirl i am too speechless, and when he phoned me yesterday whilst i was out on a family trip i was gobsmacked at him wanting me to commit fraud.
So much so that i didn't think even him could stoop so lowSad

OP posts:
RubixCube · 26/08/2012 10:20

Dont worry about ss either.Our heating packed up and we were using electric heaters when your dnephew was a baby and i had mws and health visitor come around who knew.They didnt refer me or anything

sayithowitis · 26/08/2012 10:27

Pumkin, Birds does have a point :

Indicators of neglect in the home environment
Indicators of neglect in the home include:
? unhygienic and dirty;
? unsafe/hazardous;
? environmental odour;
? inadequate bedding and/or furniture;
? inadequate food;
? inadequate sleeping space;
? inadequate ventilation and/or heating;
? inadequate care of pets.21
Introduction to the Practice Hand

taken from here

If a child in my school told me that thay they had no hot water or heating in their home, I would certainly be referring it to the person with overall responsibility for safeguarding and I would expect them to refer it on.

BlackberryIce · 26/08/2012 10:28

I asked earlier but you didn't answer

Why can't you get your deposit and months advance rent back and use it to move??

Sallyingforth · 26/08/2012 10:28

OP The right thing to do is also the simplest and easiest, and avoids any legal problems.

You go to the council housing office on Tuesday and tell them you need a flat because you are living in sub-standard conditions with no hot water. Take your rent book with you.

Then it's up to the council to find you suitable accommodation which may or may not mean getting your present place brought up to standard. They will know what grants might be legally paid.

Good luck!

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 26/08/2012 10:38

This is an aside but have you applied for your warm home discount? You maybe eligible for one and you may also be eligible for free cavity wall and loft insulation. Both are worth looking into to check if you are eligible.

You've had some good advice on here. You definitely need to move when you can Sad

If you lived near me I'd have you over to borrow my bathroom in a shot.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 10:38

Yes sayithow: but we are taking regular baths at my dms house and my washing up is being done using a kettle.
The children are also being strip washed everyday or bathed in water made up with kettle water.
The bedding is put in the washing machine as per normal.
Furniture: sofa covers & throws washed as per normal in machine.
Dcs clothes washed in washing machine
The heating is the only problem we are having but as the cold has not set in it is not a problem at this point in time.

But as i pay rent i want this sorted out so my kids can bath at HOME.
I DO NOT need frightening with tales of social services as I have done nothing wrong, df has which is why im going down the council tues afternoon.
What more can i possibly do, do you really think i want my kids going into care ?

OP posts:
Inertia · 26/08/2012 10:38

Pumpkin -if you are frightened of him finding out about being reported, you could phone up the council asking about the rules around what he is asking you do, and explaining that the boiler has been condemned, and asking where you stand legally. That way you haven't reported him, you've simply tried to find out about what he asked.

And yes, try to get on the housing lists at the same time.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 10:39

And food is cooked in my electric cooker and hob

OP posts:
BlackberryIce · 26/08/2012 10:42

why not use your deposit/advance rent to get a better place

You won't get far with the council..... Houses are rare enough. You are housed, hot water issue can be resolved. You won't be a priority but they may provide b and b accommodation til it's sorted.

BlackberryIce · 26/08/2012 10:43

Social services would be interested if you don't do something I'm sure!

RubixCube · 26/08/2012 10:44

Pumpking please dont worry.I was not put on a plan and this was in winter when dc was a newborn.Shit things happen.Thankfully my mws and health visitor understood

RubixCube · 26/08/2012 10:45

Yes they would be interested if you done f all about it but you are.So don't worry

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 10:50

We never paid a deposit or advance rent-thats the reason we ended up here in the first place. The council wouldn't home us and they wouldn't help us with a deposit etc for private either

OP posts:
Tamisara · 26/08/2012 10:51

pumpkin I don't think that birdsgottafly was implying that you're not a good parent... I took it as meaning that your priorities shouldn't be a misguided sense of loyalty to your DF, but instead putting your children first. Not an attack at all, just forget about the fallout from reporting him, and show him what a responsible & loving parent is - one who puts their children first.

In a council house (and I'm sure this applies to HA places too) they have to fix properties with no hot water/heating, within 24 hours if there is a child under 5, or a disabled person, resident. Of course it's not the same with a private rental, but the fact remains, a child under 5 needs access to hot water & adequate heating.

It's clear that you are trying to do the best for your children, given the circumstances, but you need to put aside loyalty to your dad, and demand that your children are given the basics they need.

I know the council have officers who deal with private rentals, and, as someone said upthread, they can give him a deadline to complete the work, or do it & bill him for it.

It's awful that a father can leave his child & grandchildren in such shocking conditions.

BlackberryIce · 26/08/2012 10:55

Not quite a proper tenancy then is it!?

fergoose · 26/08/2012 10:56

How is it not a proper tenancy? I rent without a deposit, and I claim some HB - and my tenancy is 'proper' - telling Pumpkin she hasn't a proper tenancy is incorrect and liable to scare her even further. She pays rent to live in a house, the fact her landlord is also her father is not really relevant is it?

fergoose · 26/08/2012 10:58

Pumpkin you are in a terrible position here being that your landlord is also your father, and he has put you in this awful position as he hopes your loyalty to him will allow him to walk all over you and treat you and your children not only dreadfully, but illegally.

I know it is really difficult for you, but I hope you will report him. Ultimately he is breaking the law and risking your lives, he really is an utter disgrace.

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