Using my address for bank account

[007Stocko]

A very close friend of mine is currently going through some relationship issues, the details of which are irrelevant. They are trying to work through it for the sake of the children.

I am doing everything I can to support my friend and made it clear that if ever they need a bolt hole they are always welcome here.

Yesterday they asked for what they referred to as a huge favour and made it clear that I would have to be entirely comfortable with the idea. They asked if they could open a bank account/credit card in their name but registered to my home address. They needed to ensure that they had access to some funds if ever they got to the stage of needing to move out.

Thoughts please. Has anyone else done this?

You could ask a solicitor to write an agreement stating the facts,ie; address used as safe house but any debts are solely the responsibility of your friend.
This should cover you if any charges are made against you or your home.

They would need a proof of address which they wouldn't have. My instinct would be to say no.
Can they not have an account in their sole name at their own address?

I opened a bank account with Starling and have had NOTHING delivered to the house, if that helps.
Everything was done online.

@MuthaFunka61

You could ask a solicitor to write an agreement stating the facts,ie; address used as safe house but any debts are solely the responsibility of your friend. This should cover you if any charges are made against you or your home.

No need - Debts are individual, not at a household level.

She could set up an online bank account like Starling and control it all through her phone

They wouldn’t be able to prove they lived at the address so it’s unlikely they would be able to set up an account. They could ask there current bank how they could help, card going to branch no postal correspondence etc

Surely that would be considered fraud of some sort since they do not live there, and could get you both in a lot of trouble.
If they're worried about a paper trail you can choose paperless billing so nothing comes through the post that partner could see, especially if it is a bank account they open so no need for anything at all to come to their house like a credit card etc.

Could they use your address as a C/O address?

@MuthaFunka61

You could ask a solicitor to write an agreement stating the facts,ie; address used as safe house but any debts are solely the responsibility of your friend. This should cover you if any charges are made against you or your home.

I don’t understand this, @MuthaFunka61 Credit cards are unsecured loans. A creditor can take the step of requesting a charging order via the court to convert an unsecured loan to a secured loan via a charge on property - but to do that they have to prove that the debtor owns the property. Usually simple step via Land Registry - but in this case an impossible step because the OP’s friend doesn’t own the house.

Is your advice something you’re just thinking aloud as an idea?

Because it just doesn’t make any sense to say that a solicitor’s letter will stop a creditor putting a charge on someone else’s house - when they can’t legally do that anyway.

It wouldn't work, the Bank would check with a credit reference agency and she wouldn't be on the electoral register at the address provided. Also wouldn't be able to provide proof of address, as has already been mentioned.

They could open an account and set it up for no paper correspondence, or use yours as a correspondence address - without claiming that it’s their own address.

To open a bank account, she would need to provide evidence of address, so I don't think this would be possible without committing fraud

An alternative, could YOU open an account in your name / address, and allow her access to it? This would require a lot of trust on both sides

She can open an account with an online bank without needing anyone else involved

She could try HSBC: www.yourmoney.com/saving-banking/hsbc-expands-bank-account-service-to-help-the-homeless/

Another vote here for starling. Its all on the app. No paperwork etc

Be very careful here, as you could unwittingly be committing fraud here.

Good suggestions re an online account, with no post sent out.

Definitely don't open her an account in your name.

She could get advice from women's aid as well.

Starling might work but one note of caution...........they do need to post out your debit card.

Get them to sign up with Starling or Monzo, there's no paperwork but there is a debit card that will need to go to their address

Forgot about them posting out a card!

@Cocomarine.

Its a safeguard against being harassed by debt agencies,I've had this when moving into a new home and it can take a while to rectify the problem. I've also had solicitors draw up an agreement and it was useful for us both to know that it existed.

If she set up an account her address
Once it’s set up she could move it online to your address for any further debit cards to to go to you for her to collect
I had to do this when living in dodgy house share and stuff would go missing
I changed the address to my parents whenever I needed to get a card sent to me which was probably only twice and then just change it back once I got the card
Never had any problem doing this and my credit rating is still perfect

@MuthaFunka61 but no debt agency would have been able to attach any charge to you or your home anyway. Sounds like money for old rope from the solicitor.
Debt is with an individual not a property so your own clear letter and proof (land registry, Council tax) to debt agencies that you were not the debtor and nor was the debtor resident at your address should have seen them off.
Still, good if it gave you peace of mind. Just hope they didn’t charge you an outrageous sum for it!

I didn't pay for it @Cocomarine!

All good then 🤣👍🏻

Thanks guys :-)