Hi all,
Split up with my ex-partner about 1.5 years ago. We have a child together and she has 2 from a previous relationship. We have stayed good friends and are very successful at co-parenting and its worked out well.
She has a council house, but its only a very small 2 bed terrace and the area has gotten worse (lots of drugs and idiots about). Long story short the area has a lot of crime. She has tried get onto the council and the local property pool now for the past year with no luck. Not classed as a prority. Everytime she bids for a new place, someone else beats her to it.
She's very proud but as a suggestion I said she could move into mine as a lodger. I have plently of space, detached property and live in a lovely neigbourhood. We googled it and all I would need to do is draw up an agreement and inform my mortgage provider.
But...
My ex partner now friend/co-parent says it may not be easy on her side of things. In her words, "Universal Credit will probably deem it suspicious".
Now I understand were she is coming from. As we have a child together. But UC states that you can move in with a friend with separate finances and this is well above board. Again in her words, "I don't want to get into any trouble".
So again, I understand. Plus the fact I understand how hard it is to get a council house and I wouldn't want her to lose that! At the same time she's scared at times to leave the house and is majorly overcrowded with a teenage boy, 10 year old and a toddler.
So I guess my question is for people that may have done the same thing:
If she moves in as a lodger with me will she still receive UC?
As a disclaimer, I have offered her to move in rent and bill free (as I am fortunate enough to do that). So this is not me trying to get her UC. She can keep all that to herself. (But being proud says she wants to pay some rent and at least half the bills)
And I have also offered to give her a deposit for her own house but she refused. Anyway, I ramble, any help I would appreciate.
Thanks all.