My apologies, it was not my intention in any way to infer that you were going to commit benefit fraud. At the end of the day creditors want their money back and I do think that renegotiation of your debts with help from the likes of the CAB etc would be the best avenue but, in reply to your original query, I am afraid I cannot see any legitimate way your boyfriend would be able to claim income based benefit whilst you are living together as a couple. Hopefully your boyfriend will be fortunate in securing employment soon.

You don't say if you have any children but I would recommend that you apply for tax credits from HMRC - the new name for the combined Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise Dpts - once your partner's JSA ends. Even if you have no children you may be entitled to Tax Credits depending on your income so well worth considering

Thanks for your reply. I think they will simply point to the terms of the original lease drawn up over 35 years ago and say "well that's what you've signed up to, that's the way it is". I know what you mean but it isn't a caravan type of thing but actually a permanent fixture - so they might have me by the ... well you know what I mean! Thanks again, be interesting to see if I get any other responses!

Thanks for your response. That was one of my concerns; the current policy seems to indicate that I do not have public liability indemnity for friends and family who stay in the property when I'm not there (although the site say otherwise) - the other policy is specific in that cover is provided. There are a number of other benefits (such as cover for bursts in cold weather even though the water has not been turned off and the system drained)

I am fortunate enough to own a holiday home on a site in North Wales. It is a leasehold property. Normally I receive a bill each year for ground rent, water rates and contents/building insurance. Lately the cost for the insurance has rocketed (now over £200 for a small log cabin) and, after looking around, I can get much better cover at a much lower price. However, the site owners have stated that the lease states that I must take out insurance cover via them! I appreciate that this may be in the lease (drawn up 35 years ago) but can they insist on this? To me, it seems like an unfair contract - are they saying that the insurance could go up to £500, £1000, £2000 and I would have no option but to pay even thought I could get the same or better cover for £150; or that the cover wouldn't meet my particular needs but I'm stuck with it? I'm unsure as to whether or not the site receive any commission from the insurance company concerned but they have recently changed providers. Does anybody have experience of a similar situation or know anything about this? Thanks in advance

Susiemac As your boyfriend's JSA is contribution based for the first six months (i.e. not means tested) the fact that you are living together will not affect the amount of benefit he receives. However, after that it will be assessed on the household income and that will mean that your salary will be taken into account (not the sum that you consider you are paying him as "rent"). You would have to represent yourselves to the DWP as being in a commercial landlord-tenant situation when in truth you are a couple in a relationship similar to that of man and wife (or a couple in a civil partnership). My advice - don't lie, not worth the risk, you will be telling DWP that you are landlord/tenant and everybody else that you are boyfriend/girlfriend - and I don't mean just your family and friends; think what you tell insurance companies, employers, banks etc. If you get caught out you will be prosecuted and could end up with a criminal record for fraud. Sorry to be so blunt but best to be truthful. Hopefully your boyfriend will have some luck in finding another job - good luck