Is this fraud?

[cloudbusting123]

This is a question for a friend not myself:

Friend (Anna) and husband (John) are in a bad relationship, she has two DC (10 and 7). Friend has been trying to leave husband for a while but has not been in a position financially to leave.

Anna’s sister has just bought a new house with enough room for Anna and her two children to live in for the next year whilst she gets on her feet and long term looks to move to the area that her sister is in.

Annas DC (10) will be applying for high schools whilst they will be staying at their sister house.

Is it ok for Anna to apply for high schools in that area as they are staying with Anna’s sister or would she need to apply under the address that John will be residing in? The local high school is in walking distance from Anna’s sisters house but would be a different catchment area from John’s house.

It would make more sense for her to apply in that area as she is looking for a house there but she worries that this might be fraud?

Geniune concern for Anna (and not for me) so please don’t flame me!

AIBU - this is fraud

YANBU - no that makes sense

Well if she is officially living there, then it’s legit I think. If she’s just using the address to get into a particular school then that’s not allowed.

@weekabcnot an answer to the question, but I can assure you this is not me. My DC are nowhere near high school applications yet and eldest is SEN so won’t affect me.

@SwerveCity definitely legitimate, was not even a school she had considered and DC will be away from friends.

If she is planning on buying in that area once in a position to then I don’t think it’s fraud.

If she's actually living at her sister's, on the electoral roll there, paying council tax and registered at that address with her bank etc, then it's legally her home so perfectly fine to apply for a school place from there. She should ring the school to check too.

Will Anna be changing her address on all of her official documents, e.g. driving licence, bank etc?

Will she be paying any rent to her dsis or contributing to household bills etc? Will the various council tax payments reflect the new living arrangements?

Will Anna be listed on the electoral roll at her sister's home?

I don't think it's fraudulent if they are genuinely living there rather than just staying on a temporary basis but it's hard to tell.

X post with @Loubylie

@MrsBennetsPoorNervesyes she will, although I don’t think she will be physically paying the bills just paying rent to her sister. But I assume she will be on the electoral roll.

We have friends who moved out of their home whilst they were having renovations done. They took a 6 month rental.
The time to apply for schools was during the rental period and the rental was in catchment for a brilliant state school. They got their child in using the rental address, as that was where they were living at the time!

None og your business. No fraud. She is living on the adress. Of course she can apply for schools.

If it was fraud there would have to be an intent to deceive. From what you've said, your 'friend' is living there and intends to move to the area. I wouldn't have a problem with that, there's no deception taking place.

@MumChp I told her I thought it was logical not fraud. I am very supportive of her move as her husband is a twat. Posting on MN after discussion with her as new there would be mixed opinions which would helpful for her as she is very anxious.

@KrisAkabusigenuinely not me but that is my opinion on the matter also.

Check the criteria for school entry
often address is not critical - looked after children get first priority, children of teachers etc with address low on the list
best thing is to call schools and check
It’s not quite what you’re asking but you need to be clear on everything before any application is made

Is there a noticeable difference in school quality that adds to this fishiness?

For example is the new one outstanding and difficult to get into and the one they'll be moving from a sink estate school. Extreme but you know what I'm asking.

Anxious about what? She follows the rules. She applies from her address. Job done.

@Feelingstrange2 current catchment has two outstanding schools which people often use as reason to move to the area however one of them is probably oversubscribed , new area also has outstanding school unsure if oversubscribed.

@MumChp about her husband kicking up a fuss about it and saying it’s fraud.

@MumChphe is not expecting her to have an option to leave with the kids and is not going to be happy about any of this especially kids not going to school local to him.

If she has her address legally at the house she is applying from he can kick and fuss. Not her business.

Bad luck for him isn't it.

@MumChp this is my view and trying to persuade her it is the right thing to do which is why I posted.

You shouldn't persuade her.
She can't apply from other address than the one she is living at. So no other way to go really unless she moves out.