Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Moving into council house with dad

17 replies

Butterfly1982 · 22/09/2018 19:20

My mum and dad have had a council house for 30years plus, currently a 3 bed. I private rent with my 4 children. Basically we lost my mum last month and dad is not coping well alone, would i legally be able to move in with my dad? How would it work as i am claiming universal benefit? Would me moving in with dad effect my money and also if anything should happen to dad will me and my children be removed from council property??? Odviously i would not have private rental anymore, so would the housing benifit just change address or would they do a joint claim for myself and father instead of 2 separate ones?

TIA

OP posts:
IhatetheArchers · 22/09/2018 19:31

Essentially you will be 'non-dependants' this means you will continue to make your own claim. If your dad receives housing benefit, there maybe a 'non dependant' deduction. Because your dad is a close relative You cannot get benefit to pay any rent to him.

If you were to become a joint tenant with your dad - your council may allow this, but there is usually a 'waiting period' of a year before you can do this, you should (unless regs have changed) be able to claim rent for your share. But you really need to talk to your dad's housing officer before you move in.

IhatetheArchers · 22/09/2018 19:34

Although re_readng your post, you said you have 4 children,, there may be an issue with the number of bedrooms.

Original poster
Butterfly1982 · 22/09/2018 19:46

Yes it would be hard but he really is not coping and i am currently finding it very hard managing two places. I will make enquires to see what would happen first, thank you

OP posts:
mumsastudent · 22/09/2018 19:48

I don't think should your dad die (sorry horrible to talk about but you have to be realistic) you would be able to take over his tenancy - there is a lot of discussion about this on TV programs - its not a short cut to be put on the council housing list - the housing officer would consider this

whataboutbob · 22/09/2018 20:34

Regarding the housing issues I’d recommend going to your citizens advice bureau.
I think There’s also the aspect of you being concerned for your dad and wanting to support him, which is totally understandable. It might be a problem to mix the two aspects up though. Your dad will go from living with just another adult, to one other adult and four kids. He may love it, or he may be overwhelmed. Is he the kind of person who responds well to that kind of change? Can he cope with the general rowdiness it would involve? And would you be OK with moving back in with a parent? Worth considering these points. Bereavement can make people behave differently, at least in the short term ( think disoriented, de motivated etc). Good luck with whichever decision you make.

Original poster
Butterfly1982 · 23/09/2018 11:11

Mumsastudent is am definatly not trying to get an easy way into council housing, i have lost my mum and she was way to young to die, im praying my dad has a good 30 years left yet. But as much as i am thinking of my dads needs i am also thinking of my children and there needs

OP posts:
Original poster
Butterfly1982 · 23/09/2018 11:12

Whataboutbob thank you for your kind words, yes these are all things i need to think of and some are new ideas and thoughts i didnt have.

OP posts:
whataboutbob · 23/09/2018 13:48

I can understand your position my mum also died young at 54 and dad was a widower for a long time, I didn’t move in with him but of course it changed our relationship and I had a sense of responsibility towards him for the rest of his life. Be mindful of you own needs too and don’t allow yourself to shoulder all the stuff he’s struggling with. Encourage him to be as social as possible. Does he have other networks ( friends, church , other kids etc?).

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 23/09/2018 13:53

Won't a 3 bed be a bit small for two separate adults and 4 children?

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 23/09/2018 13:55

They’ll probably apply for a 4/5 bedroom house in that case.

choli · 23/09/2018 13:57

Won't a 3 bed be a bit small for two separate adults and 4 children?
I hope it stays fine for you.

RandomMess · 23/09/2018 14:01

I think it sounds like your Dad needs your help temporarily so I would consider him staying with you for 4/5 days per week resorting the DC rooms so he has his own room. He does need to carve out his own life. Certainly worth trying before the upheaval and complications of you moving in with him when the property is too small. Thanks

Original poster
Butterfly1982 · 23/09/2018 16:22

Thank you so much for the wise words, i will take what you have all said and work with it, as you say it may be a short term that dad is feeling like this and it may be to much for him with 4 kids and myself in his space. Love idea of maybe him with us, it is something i can ask him

OP posts:
mumsastudent · 23/09/2018 16:28

just trying to clarify an issue - because if you move out of your own rented property it may cause problems you haven't forethought - get advice from CAB/Shelter to see what affects this will have on your situation & check your dads tenancy papers/agreement (perhaps look on web for the housing rules in his area. I agree with someone else that it might be overwhelming for your dad & also if you want to get back into private renting you may find it very difficult to get new rent (universal credit,,,)

dontcallmelen · 23/09/2018 19:59

I would also think very carefully about your Dad giving up his tenacy, it’s a lot to ask of someone & a lot to lose, especially whilst you are both still early days in the grieving process, sorry for your loss💐

RandomMess · 23/09/2018 20:02

No no no to Dad moving out and giving up tenancy very much just staying over with op a fair amount which is not the same thing!

LOVELYDOVEY05 · 24/09/2018 14:08

No way should your Dad give up his tenancy. This is a grieving process and he will start to fell better gradually. Is there anyone else around that could help you as you have enough on your plate?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page