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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking that this is benefit fraud?

143 replies

Cbeebiesmum · 28/02/2015 16:38

Hi I'll try and keep it short, but my friend, I say friend but she doesn't feel like one at the minute. Basically her and her partner are constantly splitting up an then getting back together, they have three children together and I've had a feeling for some time that they've been fiddling the system. Anyway they both own a house together but she moved out a year ago into smaller rented accommodation, he moved back to his fathers house and they got someone in to rent their house.

My fronds was getting a substantial amount in housing benefit and has now been offered a council house which she moves into next week. The amount of HB will cover all of her rent, the tenant will be paying their mortgage and her "ex" is living completely rent free at his fathers!

Now correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't think people were entitled to claim housing benefit on a rented property if they already owned a property? But one of our mutual friends has said that you can if you can prove your house is in negative equity therefore you are unable to sell, does anyone know if this is right?

I'm only asking as I think she is taking the absolute pee! She is very much still in a relationship with the father of her children, she still sees him everyday plus they go on family holidays and days out yet they conveniently live apart.They have been on and off for over 10 years and she has always been out for what se can get when it comes to benefits, ie credibly spacing her children apart so she didn't have to come off income support and I believe what they're doing is completely wrong, an I don't know how much longer I can continue to be around her without saying something x

OP posts:
PtolemysNeedle · 28/02/2015 16:42

Are you sure they own the house together and that it isn't solely in the DPs name?

MrsHathaway · 28/02/2015 16:44

Say what? That you think the rules are shit and she's taking the piss?

I'm glad I don't have to be the only adult living with my children. I bet her life is a bed of roses [sarcasm]

ilovesooty · 28/02/2015 16:45

I'm always somewhat surprised by how intimately some people know their "friends'" financial circumstances Hmm

HungryDam · 28/02/2015 16:45

Whatever you do don't report it. You don't know the full details and you are going to spoil your friendship. You sound a bit jealous tbh.

countessmarkyabitch · 28/02/2015 16:45

But one of our mutual friends has said that you can if you can prove your house is in negative equity therefore you are unable to sell, does anyone know if this is right?

SoonToBeSix · 28/02/2015 16:47

You are right, op you are not a friend.

finnbarrcar · 28/02/2015 16:48

No matter what she has to declare the rental income in order to pay tax on it. At the very least it's probably tax fraud.

Not sure what you're really asking here OP, do you want to be sure of what it is before you report it or are you just going to stew about it?

Original poster
Cbeebiesmum · 28/02/2015 16:51

I had no intention of reporting her as that would be going to far, and you're right I'm probably not a friend. She has completely lied to me for the last two years crying on my shoulder acting like the struggling single parent and all along she's been putting on an act! And the reason I know about we finances is because She openly tells people how much in benefits she gets but then claims her "ex" doesn't pay CSA, she has basically pulled the wool over everyone's eyes including her own family. And yes they do own the house jointly.

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 28/02/2015 16:51

I've no idea if that's right or not, but if they both own the house then surely that asset should be sold before HB is paid out?

And yes - she's taking the pee, big time.

Thesuperswimmingdolphin · 28/02/2015 16:53

The OP doesn't sound jealous. She sounds rightly pissed off. Presumably she has been told about the housing benefit and the council house. They only thing she possibly doesn't know is who owns the asset - the original house but she also knows that the supposed ended relationship is very much still going on. I would inform on them OP. Nobody needs friends like that. They are committing major fraud and by occupying a council house they aren't entitled to, they will be making another family ensure sub-standard accommodation. Currently the woman is claiming single parent benefit status when she shouldn't. She is claiming Housing Benefit she shouldn't AND she's taking a council house she doesn't need. She should be in prison.

finnbarrcar · 28/02/2015 16:53

I think I get what you're feeling. You feel as though you've been duped and that this person doesn't share your values, and (for me) shared values are what make a friendship work. Probably best to leave her to it, it's more that likely she WILL get found out and have to pay the money back.

I'm in two minds about benefit fraud if it's at the lower end of the scale, tax evasion and bent MPs are fiddling on a much larger scale but benefit claimants are treated like lepers.

Original poster
Cbeebiesmum · 28/02/2015 16:54

That's what I thought to be honest. I remember someone telling me years ago that usually they'll only grant you HB if you a victim of domestic abuse and you can't sell your home to he away from your partner. I'd hate to think she told the council something like that as that would be so low.

OP posts:
Feminine · 28/02/2015 16:54

I suppose you are frustrated.
I think you probably *do know quite a bit about her finances.
I think the story response on MN is that you couldn't possibly know, are jealous etc..
I don't agree with those sentiments.
Most friends tend to know.
I'd leave it though.
Who cares?

Nobody is perfect, and you get to keep your blood pressure at a normal level.
If you can't stomach her behaviour, find new friends. :)
I mean that nicely.

PtolemysNeedle · 28/02/2015 16:56

If you wouldn't report it even if you did find out for a fact that it was fraud, then what's the point of the thread? If you believe that what she is doing is morally wrong regardless of whether it's legally wrong, then stop being around her.

Feminine · 28/02/2015 16:56

*stock response

Norfolkandchance1234 · 28/02/2015 16:56

I'm guessing she is trying to get into a position where she is not reliant on her ex for whatever reason.

Might I suggest you keep out of other peoples business and let her try and manage her life.

She is quite possibly not telling you everything that goes on behind closed doors, so don't go round presuming things and making unfounded allegations.

SirChenjin · 28/02/2015 16:58

Benefit fraud is everyone's business actually.

Original poster
Cbeebiesmum · 28/02/2015 16:58

Oh I'm definitely not jealous. I mean don't get me wrong me and my husband you so use the type of extra money they are raking in each month but to be honest she has to pretend everyday that she is separated from her partner, and even goes to such lengths as to call him rotten to keep up the act. I'm just so glad me and my dh can just be us, no pretending.

OP posts:
Feminine · 28/02/2015 17:01

Yes op You sound like you have a lovely life.
Just let her get on with it. :)

Original poster
Cbeebiesmum · 28/02/2015 17:02

Oh are you serious, she is not this vulnerable hurt little girl you know. If she was genuinely trying to stand on her own feet and not rely on her "ex" (and the goverment) then she'd get off we arse and get a full time job not working the minimum possible in order to claim maximum benefits. Her and her partner have though long and hard and have concocted this little scheme together, and I just wanted to know if it was technically legal and not fraud to satisfy my own curiosity.

OP posts:
Feminine · 28/02/2015 17:03

sir
I don't agree.
Other people's benefit fraud, is nothing to do with anyone else.

Feminine · 28/02/2015 17:04

Time will sort things out eventually.
Very few people get away with it forever.

Norfolkandchance1234 · 28/02/2015 17:05

Have you seriously nothing more meaningful in your life than to worry about this so called friend and her benefit claims. You seem a bit obsessed with her tbh.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 28/02/2015 17:06

I am sure if you own a house you are not entitled to housing benefit while running a business renting out your own property.....

And if she is a landlord, then she needs to be filling out a tax return and declaring the rental income.

No doubt she is scamming.

Call the tax office anonymously.

Feminine · 28/02/2015 17:06

Still doesn't matter.
And, unless any of us here have all the facts.
We can't possibly give a cast iron answer.
Frustrating as that may be .