Is this legal?

[neighbourssitu]

I'll keep this short.

Is it illegal to sell a jointly owned property and ask the ex to keep all the proceeds so that one partner can still claim benefits? Then ask other partner to buy her stuff she needs as and when using half the money?

Curious about a neighbours situation.

Thoughts please

Is this benefit fraud?

I'd say it's dodgy for sure as they are concealing their assets/savings in order to be eligible for help, which they may not be entitled to if their financial situation was known.

My thoughts exactly as I would think that should have been declared at time of sale.

It's no wonder anyone who gets government help gets ripped apart and called scroungers when there are people out there that do conceal what they have get money out the government.

I'd like to think the majority who do have help are genuine but sadly there are many out there that know how to get around things. It's out of order

I've always worked and only been out of work briefly and was denied job seekers when I know many people who work the system to their own benefit. Very unfair on all of us who pay our way.

Benefits cheats really piss me off.

I've always worked. Was out of work for a short time but as I have a mortgage I got no help at all.

When I had my baby, the short space between SMP finishing and finding a job I claimed income support but got nothing else due to having my house. I was told you work or you lose your house, yet there were other around me clearly milking everything they can get.
I now get tax credits and a little amount. But mine is a genuine claim. I find it amazing how many people cheat the system when I get the bare minimum (lone parent, min wage, 30 hours a week so I'm not in a great position anyway)

Curious about a neighbour?

You are quite the nosy parker.

@SpideyMom sounds like you have a very similar life to me. Having always worked and have a mortgage I did feel guilty at first claiming tax credits even though I had paid tax for years and was entitled to it. 🙄

@MissGuernsey no not a nosey parker at all. And I'm not the type of person to report it. I just thought it was a odd situation and hadn't heard of it before.

It is unethical. However whether it is illegal is a different matter. I suspect yes, but may not be straightforward to prove.

I wouldn't say you are nosey but personally I would be angered by it, especially if they get away with it.

A family member, and I use that term very loosely as we haven't had contact in years knows how to claim everything she can. She is most recently moaning about not being able to pay her water and council tax which is normally all paid for her due to not working and having children etc.
Yet here's me that struggles month in month out but I work

What type of ownership? Who put down the deposit? Who paid more towards the mortgage?

What facts do you actually know about this scenario OP?

Also how much profit was made? What type of benefits are being claimed?

As far as I'm aware it was joint mortgage/joint ownership.

A family member, and I use that term very loosely as we haven't had contact in years knows how to claim everything she can. She is most recently moaning about not being able to pay her water and council tax which is normally all paid for her due to not working and having children etc.

How is it that you've not had contact for years yet you know all this information? Most benefit claimants still pay towards water and council tax. You did know that, didn't you?

As far as I'm aware it was joint mortgage/joint ownership.

I asked what you know, not what you think you know. Tell us what facts you have.

I think people that commit benefit fraud are scum. But people that make up their own version of events to suit are pretty low too.

Well yes but that's because members of my family still have contact and I have to listen to how angry it makes them. Always ends up in argument of me having no interest. Do yes I've not had any personal direct contact with them for many years as I don't agree with how she lives and gets away with it

Wow @NoBaggyPants you're abit much aren't you

If this is the case it’s fraud plain and simple, and I would be reporting

However she’s got to be careful, who is to say the ex won’t spend it all and not buy her anything, would love to see how she claims her part back from him

@Chloemol yeah I was thinking the same thing. Potential fraud issue aside, it sounds risky AF. And no way would I want to be in a position where I have to ask my partner for some of my own money. That's crazy

Was it owned as joint tenants or tenants in common?

How many people know that much about their neighbours financial set up? The house could have been all in one partner's name.