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Original poster

Housing association question

40 replies

Mumofone154 · 15/03/2024 13:59

Hi everyone,

I wonder if anyone could help me with this. I’ve been on the list for housing association for a while bidding, however today I’ve been called to say I’ve won a bid on a 2 bed property

they are doing all my checks and hopefully I should pass that!

my question is I’ve applied way over a year ago for this as a single parent of one child.
since that time I’ve met a lovely man and I’m hoping in about a few months I can move him in too?

obviously I’d not be claiming single person benefits , I’d do it all legit and be honest with the housing people by letting him know he lives there.

is this something I can do? I don’t know how it all works. I really hope it is , surely it would benefit them as two incomes for the rent? Would it be something they could reject? As I don’t want to give this house up , I’ve waited so long for this and it looks so lovely!

OP posts:
Resilience · 15/03/2024 15:07

There won't be an issue with you moving him in at some point. Happens all the time.

Like others, I'd stress not adding him to the tenancy agreement though. Your first duty is to your child.

You may well have thought of all this and discussed it already, but have you thought about how his moving in will affect your entitlement to housing and other benefits? Is he 100% happy on making up that shortfall if it exists? If not, how will you manage?

Original poster
Mumofone154 · 15/03/2024 15:26

Resilience · 15/03/2024 15:07

There won't be an issue with you moving him in at some point. Happens all the time.

Like others, I'd stress not adding him to the tenancy agreement though. Your first duty is to your child.

You may well have thought of all this and discussed it already, but have you thought about how his moving in will affect your entitlement to housing and other benefits? Is he 100% happy on making up that shortfall if it exists? If not, how will you manage?

Hi good points there .

with regards to housing benefits the rent is only £580 a month so won’t be claiming benefits as I work full time, do you mean If I move him in as a occupant ( not joint tenancy) will my rent go up? Didn’t think about this

OP posts:
Sluj · 15/03/2024 15:39

Yes, he can move in and you can add him as a household member ( no rights). I probably wouldn't do that at the sign up as it might muddy the waters and your household composition ( and ability to pay for private rent) has been assessed as a single parent. Wait a few months before adding him as the household member, though he can move in as long as you are upfront with the DWP. After a year as a household member he can become a joint tenant but I STRONGLY recommend you do not do that unless you get married and he can claim matrimonial rights anyway.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 15/03/2024 15:46

There would be no issue moving him in at all. It would however change your financial situation eg likely to lose any housing benefits so you would pay full rent, same with council tax, UC etc.

Resilience · 15/03/2024 16:14

@Mumofone154 - I meant housing benefit not your right to housing so if you're not claiming any there won't be anything to worry about. It's not for the HA to pass judgement on what is an acceptable length of time to be in a relationship before you move them in. Congratulations on getting the place BTW. It can be a long wait!

Are you claiming child care costs/relief as a single person? This can change quite a lot if you move in your DP. Also remember you'll lose your 25% single person discount.

Two adults can live together for less than they can separately. However, where one of them already has children, both can underestimate how much the non-parent can end up needing to contribute and if this isn't worked out well in advance it can cause resentment. If that person then turns out to be a twat and doesn't contribute as agreed, it can make the parent and child very vulnerable.

Dontcallmescarface · 15/03/2024 16:31

Mumofone154 · 15/03/2024 15:26

Hi good points there .

with regards to housing benefits the rent is only £580 a month so won’t be claiming benefits as I work full time, do you mean If I move him in as a occupant ( not joint tenancy) will my rent go up? Didn’t think about this

Show quote history

No your rent won't go up as it's based on the property not how many people live there. Your council tax will though as you will lose your "single adult discount.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 15/03/2024 16:40

Yes he can move in and it will stay your tenancy, although would you have received an allocation had you bid as a couple, based on your joint income? The issue is when benefits are involved and, although you are not claiming at present, household income would impact in the future on either of you, or both, as it is the household income that counts. Remember that it also impacts on your council tax, as no longer a single person.

Original poster
Mumofone154 · 15/03/2024 17:00

Resilience · 15/03/2024 16:14

@Mumofone154 - I meant housing benefit not your right to housing so if you're not claiming any there won't be anything to worry about. It's not for the HA to pass judgement on what is an acceptable length of time to be in a relationship before you move them in. Congratulations on getting the place BTW. It can be a long wait!

Are you claiming child care costs/relief as a single person? This can change quite a lot if you move in your DP. Also remember you'll lose your 25% single person discount.

Two adults can live together for less than they can separately. However, where one of them already has children, both can underestimate how much the non-parent can end up needing to contribute and if this isn't worked out well in advance it can cause resentment. If that person then turns out to be a twat and doesn't contribute as agreed, it can make the parent and child very vulnerable.

i hadn’t even thought about all this.
I don’t claim childcare costs though.

not sure what the 25% single person discount is , thank you for your advice though! It’s good to know!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumofone154 · 15/03/2024 17:03

Sluj · 15/03/2024 15:39

Yes, he can move in and you can add him as a household member ( no rights). I probably wouldn't do that at the sign up as it might muddy the waters and your household composition ( and ability to pay for private rent) has been assessed as a single parent. Wait a few months before adding him as the household member, though he can move in as long as you are upfront with the DWP. After a year as a household member he can become a joint tenant but I STRONGLY recommend you do not do that unless you get married and he can claim matrimonial rights anyway.

Thank you so much for your advice

OP posts:
Dontcallmescarface · 15/03/2024 17:07

Mumofone154 · 15/03/2024 17:00

i hadn’t even thought about all this.
I don’t claim childcare costs though.

not sure what the 25% single person discount is , thank you for your advice though! It’s good to know!!

Show quote history

The 25% is a discount on your Council Tax bill if there is only 1 adult in the house. Every body who does not live with another adult is eligible and it's not means tested. As soon as your boyfriend moves in you HAVE to declare it to the Council Tax dept of your local council and they will send a renewed bill with both names on (so he can use it for proof of address if he needs to), with the increased payments.

TheWorldisGoingMad · 17/07/2024 16:31

Why would you want someone to move in with you so early in the relationship?

There is no way in hell I'd do that. You are till getting to know each other, and you have a child. However it's your decision.

If ge moves in you can tell them but you are risk8ng all sorts of problems if you put him on the tenancy and it doesn't work out. You would not be able to get rid of him. He would have all the rights you do, without having to go through the hardship. 🚩 What if he turns into an abusive partner... you'd be stuck. Not saying he will of course, but it could happen. The fact that he wants to move in so soon is a red flag to me. This means having a person you don't know that well in the same space as your child, in their life, as a father figure.

I would be very cautious doing this, but that's just me.

Then, if you put him on the tenancy, he is responsible for half the rent, council tax, gas and electric, water rates, food and any other household bills you have. Have you discussed this and his contribution? Do you agree? Can he support this consistently, long term? What if he stops paying? What if ge runs up credit cards ir bebts, this then becomes an issue for you as he is on the tenancy.

So many things you have to sort out and discuss before moving anyone into social housing with you. One year is not a lo g wait by most peoples standards. Many people wait anything from 3 - 10 years. Your tenancy is precious, remember that.

Sorry for the waffle. Just my rambling thoughts.

Llanni · 26/02/2025 18:41

When you move a partner into your property do housing association increase the rent due to a second person living there with an income? Or does it not work like that?

Dwrcegin · 27/02/2025 04:02

Llanni · 26/02/2025 18:41

When you move a partner into your property do housing association increase the rent due to a second person living there with an income? Or does it not work like that?

Edited

No, rent is a set amount.

Eastie77Returns · 27/02/2025 04:27

OP, where does he live now?

I’m not sure if you meant this literally but your comment that he has spent “every single day” with you and your child in the year you’ve been together sounds concerning to me. A relationship that starts with that kind of intensity from day one is rarely a healthy one.

The reason some people are advising you wait before moving this man in is not solely to do with the tenancy (I understand you are not adding him to it) but because a year is really not that long in the scheme of things and you have a young child.

Why not move in with just your DS, get settled and then revisit moving him in when your relationship is further along. If he’s a good man he’ll understand that you need to prioritise your son before moving an unrelated man into your home. There’s absolutely no need to rush into this.

Very best of luck to you and congratulations on your new home:)

Llanni · 27/02/2025 10:13

Dwrcegin · 27/02/2025 04:02

No, rent is a set amount.

Show quote history

Okay thank you 😊

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