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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or is this benefit fraud??

37 replies

Weebeastiebaby · 07/06/2018 18:42

Dh’s ‘Friends’ are a married couple. Up until recently both unemployed with one dd. The dh in couple has recently got a full time job. They now can not afford the rent in their privately rented 3bed house and have become ‘intentionally homeless’ in order to be housed in emergency accommodation they have claimed to the housing association that their marriage has ended and therefore wife and dd have been provided with nice 2 bed semi detached rent free until permanent housing can be offered (which will also be rent free or heavily subsidised). However this is false information as they are still a couple and he stays there every night. AIBU to consider reporting them? Or am I letting my judgement be clouded by the fact I’ve always considered them lazy? Wife is now late 20s and has never worked. I don’t want their dd to be affected but I do think they should pay their way and people should not be allowed to cheat the system and get away with it.

OP posts:
lalalalyra · 07/06/2018 18:44

Which HA gives out rent free houses?

expatinscotland · 07/06/2018 18:45

Stop hanging out with them, you don't like them. And stick to your own affairs rather than meddling in someone else's.

Original poster
Weebeastiebaby · 07/06/2018 18:45

Housing benefit covers the rent

OP posts:
AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 07/06/2018 18:47

This is MN so you'll get the usual twats saying it's none of your business but it IS and you absolutely SHOULD report them - it's literally stealing from us all, and increases the stigma attached to claiming benefits.

SongforSal · 07/06/2018 18:48

Don't report them, it would be a vile thing to do. Don't get me wrong, benefit fraud pisses me of, but I'd keep out of it as a child is involved to.

x2boys · 07/06/2018 18:49

housing associaton houses are not rent free unless i just drempt that £350 i paid yesterday 🙄

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 07/06/2018 18:51

The thing is though and if I've read it wrong I apologise but the reason they can't afford the rent is because her dh got a full time job. That just doesnt make any sense. What's the point in going out to work when you can't even afford your rent.
Therefore they are lying for survival.
I'd keep my nose out. It seems to me that you're wanting to run clactailing because you don't like the fact that she's never worked.
I'd love to know how you know this. Do people run around telling everyone Tom Dick and Harry their financial affairs

Original poster
Weebeastiebaby · 07/06/2018 18:53

Their house is not rent free. Sorry I worded that wrongly but her housing benefit (or whatever form it takes now I am not overly familiar!) covers all the rent if she claims she lives as a single person with dd.
I probably won’t report, due to worry for their dd. They could afford to pay rent but I would worry it would leave them short for other things.

FYI we don’t hang out. I tried to befriend the wife as I worried she might be isolated but she spent the whole time boasting about how expensive all her things were in her new home and how “the council” had paid for it all. I just couldn’t hold my tongue so minimised contact! And yes I know how that makes me sound!

OP posts:
Sockwomble · 07/06/2018 18:53

Where is the dh in the couple living?

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 07/06/2018 18:54

if not wanting innocent children to suffer makes me one of those usual twats.
I wear my title with honour.

PotteryLady · 07/06/2018 18:59

Report them - they are ripping us all off. The house needs to go to someone who is entitled.

Original poster
Weebeastiebaby · 07/06/2018 19:03

Awwlookatmybabyspider Yeah that’s it. They rented a fairly expensive house which was covered by benefits. Due to working full time they are now not eligible for the housing benefit and have to pay rent out of his wages. The house was too expensive so the options were 1. Look for cheaper property to rent. Move.

  1. Claim they had split up, get emergency accommodation, get permanent council house, dh move back in.

It’s not the way things should be. It hasn’t benefited them to find work. I do sympathise.

OP posts:
GetInMyNelly · 07/06/2018 19:26

When has the council ever allowed someone to make themselves intentionally homeless??!

Most councils will refuse to help if you do that, I've no idea how they've got a 2 bed house straight away.

Original poster
Weebeastiebaby · 07/06/2018 19:33

I think they are obliged to provide accommodation for wife and dc as vulnerable. Can’t have them sleeping rough etc. Sometimes they provide B&b type accommodation but in this area there are a few houses and flats used only for ‘emergency’ accommodation. If working people need these, the rent is very high.

OP posts:
FissionChips · 07/06/2018 19:40

Lmfao! No council will provide a house because a couple have split up.
Biscuit

Murane · 07/06/2018 19:47

Am I the only one who thinks it's atrocious that they could afford their house while unemployed but not with a full time job! And we wonder why people choose not to work!

SluttyButty · 07/06/2018 19:50

I'm usually all for benefit protection but if you are absolutely 100% sure then yes that's not on. But you need to be aware your friend and her child would more than likely be in trouble, a lot of trouble and could potentially find herself discharged of the LA and be actually homeless with a child.

So as long as you're camped outside their house day and night to know for sure that he's staying there and they're still together (rather than her saying it because she's embarrassed) then go ahead, make the call. But if she's discharged then you'll have to live with the knowledge of what you've done. I could never get involved because I couldn't live with myself after.

IslaBoots · 07/06/2018 19:52

Unfortunately people have families nowadays and claim they are not together- even though they most certainly are.

It's an easy way to make money from the benefits system. I sincerely hope those who are blatantly claiming benefits fraudulently get caught out. Most do.. When they are reported 😊

mimibunz · 07/06/2018 19:53

It’s up to them to protect their child, not you.

adviceonthepox · 07/06/2018 19:55

Absolutely report them. They are committing fraud and deserve all they get!

Feodora · 07/06/2018 20:01

I am surprised that their housing benefit whilst both not working covered all their rent. The local housing allowance only covers the bottom 30 per cent of rental housing for a 2 bed in the area.

BanginChoons · 07/06/2018 20:05

So now they can afford the house they are living in due to reasonable rent. Providing she declares him living there as soon as the provisional tenancy is over and they live off his wages then I don't see a problem.

What's the alternative? Would you rather they were in unstable housing they can't afford? Sometimes people get desperate.

Benandhollysmum · 07/06/2018 20:06

If they get caught they could end up in jail if they can’t owe back what they’ve took. I’m one for minding my own business in other people’s benefits, they are no different from those in the House of Lords who go to work to snooze and get £300 quid per day to do so and a fancy meal.
They will eventually get caught out.

CosmicCanary · 07/06/2018 20:08

Bullshit OP.

I work within the council housing sector and the hoops and proof homeless people have to show to prove they are not intentionally homeless extends way beyond "we split up".

You seem to know a hell of a lot to say you are not friends and dont hang out Hmm

CosmicCanary · 07/06/2018 20:11

she spent the whole time boasting about how expensive all her things were in her new home and how “the council” had paid for it all.

The council dont pay for things.

They will have a local assistance scheme that will help with the bare minimum such as cooker/fridge but they dont just buy stuff.