Shared Accommodation - People moving in and out

[Foebane72]

I have been at the same address for over 13 years, which is shared accommodation run by a private landlord. There is a rented bedsit each for the tenants, and the landlord lives at the same address, in his own room. The tenants are not related to each other, but they move in and out on a regular basis as the years go by, and I have known about two dozen people doing this. The kitchen and bathroom are shared by all.

 

The problem I've got now is that I have neglected to tell the DWP about the people moving in and out, and their incomes. I don't know anything about their incomes, nor did I want to ask. I was told a long time ago that I didn't need to relay such information, but otherwise I would've been filling out Change of Circumstance forms on a regular basis.

 

Am I in trouble? Or am I misinterpreting the Change of Circumstance clauses known as:

• changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets
• people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

 

Would I really have to repay any excess amounts? Why does it matter what incomes and number of people there is?

 

 

[honeybee13]

I'm no expert, but my initial though on this is that it's not your house but the landlord's and that you're all his lodgers. I expect other people will comment, but I would say it isn't your problem.

 

Can you link us to where you found what you've quoted please?

 

HB

[unclebulgaria67]

Yes you are misreading this.

 

You simply rent a room in a shared property and the other people living at the property are none of your business.

 

If you moved to say a flat which you shared with a partner, that is when you need to inform benefits.

[Ethel Street]

I agree with unclebulgaria. It sounds like you live in an HMO - House in Multiple Occupation - not shared accommodation. Each person renting a room is a separate "household".

 

https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/houses-in-multiple-occupation

[Foebane72]

1 hour ago, honeybee13 said:

I'm no expert, but my initial though on this is that it's not your house but the landlord's and that you're all his lodgers. I expect other people will comment, but I would say it isn't your problem.

 

Can you link us to where you found what you've quoted please?

 

HB

 

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefits-change-circumstances

 

Thanks for the clarification, everyone. A HMO does sound much more like where I am at, and thank for the link, Ethel!

 

I can't believe I've been using the wrong term for so many years!