to not pay an au pair other than room and board?

[smellysocksandchickenpox]

now that I've got your attention, I'm not mean, I just want to know if it's legally possible?

Have a friend in desperate need of accommodation. Due to our deeds I cannot have a lodger but I can have an au pair.

I really want to help but I can't afford to PAY to have them stay. Can we do a straight childcare/home help for accommodation swap without any money involved?

Thanks

Tax credits, you will NOT need to do a joint claim, that is ridiculous.

When my ExH said he was leaving me, I immediately wanted to become financially separate from him.

I phoned tax credits, told them he was leaving in a few weeks, but would be sleeping in the spare room in the interim and they started my single claim.

Just living together does not mean you have a joint claim. You each have your separate family claims.

Sorry I haven't had time to read the thread.....

Au pairs are not paid. They have pocket money. There is guidance on the amount but no legal requirement. We've never had written contracts for our au pairs and they never expected it so I think you could do it

DO NOT DO A JOINT TAX CREDITS CLAIM.

Those are for couples. You are getting all this info third hand, what I imagine she is trying to prove is habitual residence for benefits purposes. Google the habitual residence test.

she should also look at "permanent right to reside" if she has been here for years to sidestep habitual residence, as it's bloody vague.

Could you get a lawyer to look at your lease details?

could she be an Au Pair who gets paid whatever your weekly shop is? coincidentally she is the one who does the shopping?

OP

I just wanted to say that you are doing A Good Thing!

Seriously it's not to be taken lightly what you are doing, and for what it's worth, I think you are a family unit because you're looking out for her as you would a sister.

Respect to you for your kindness

Being a single family unit doesn't IME mean all members of the same family per se. It means simply LIVING as a family. i.e. you're not subletting (which is, to be honest a very common condition of leases).

On the face of it - and with the caveat that I haven't seen your deeds - I can't see an issue with her being there as a long term family guest if no money is changing hands