Boyfriend moved in

You are right to be concrned. The boyfriend moving in could have an adverse effect on benefits.

Yes you can refuse permission and you could also commence eviction proceedings - see >>> http://evicting-tenants.net/

However, don't be too hasty. Ask lots of questions, your tenant may not have considered the impact on benefits but for all you know she may well have done and not and have it all in hand.

Try the nice approach but be nosey. If you don't get the answers and or you don't like the answers you get, that's when you need to make a decision. Just be honest with your tenants about your concerns.

Good luck.
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Marie, as Mark says you are right to be concerned.
Yes, this could impact on benefits. That's if existing tenant has told the DSS that she has moved boyfriend in. If she has not then any overpayment may be clawed back from you. At the very least then HB money to the authorised tenant will be reduced. And you are allowing someone into your property who you do not know. I would as Mark says, not be too harsh but;

1. I would insist on the partner being referenced at their expense;
2. Insist on some verification that she has notified DSS;
3. Check your landlords insurance and mortgage that you are allowed HB tenants.

Then make your decision.

Hi Marie, I let to over 100 tenants who happen to be supported by the welfare system.
I come across this situation all of the time.
So, how good a tenant is she? Is she so good that you would really like to keep her?
Who is the man? Arrange to meet him, with the tenant and make a through assessment of him. Ask him whatever you want. Get him to tell you his life story. Then go with your gut feeling and decide - 'is he telling the truth'?
Are you comfortable with him?
If he doesn't like your questions don't let him move in! You've got something that he wants, he needs to be upfront and answer whatever questions you ask.
Is he working? If he is that will impact on your tenants housing benefit. So can they afford the rent?
However, if he is claiming JSA, ESA or INCOME SUPPORT, this will have no effect on the amount of housing benefit being paid to your tenant.
A lot of tenants at the lower end of the scale fail referencing checks. If the failure is around credit, I don't get too uptight about it. (Its normally young people with mobile phone bills unpaid). ask him upfront if he'll pass a credit check. They normally tell the truth. He needs to please you! Some of my best tenants fail credit checks. Does that mean they won't pay the rent and look after the premises?
IN RESPECT OF CLAW BACKS OF OVERPAYMENTS
Is your tenant safeguarded, i.e. does housing benefit get paid directly to you or to her? If she is in receipt of her own housing benefit and there is an overpayment, the local authority will pursue her for it, not you.
A tip for anyone receiving direct payment from LAs for housing benefit (this will become even more pertinent when universal credit is fully rolled out), get the tenant to open an account with your local credit union. They will ring fence the rental payments and pay it directly to the landlord. The beauty of this is that if there are any overpayments, it is clawed back from the tenant.

Thank you for the helpful comments, especially Lyndon. I have issued her with a section 21, as things have gone to far for my liking. She has put a picture of me on Facebook with unpleasant and untrue remarks

Reply to the comment left by "Lyndon Whitehouse" at "13/06/2015 - 08:57":

Very interesting post Lyndon. How is your Letting Agency shop doing in my old stomping ground, Ashmore Park Wednesfield. Good to see you commenting a bit more here.

You have so much knowledge to offer, particularly as that area has so many LHA funded tenants. It would be good to hear more from you and may well be worthwhile you considering upgrading your profile too. I suspect there are several readers in the Black Country who are worried about Universal Credit and may well be looking for support from an established letting with your experience.

All the best

Mark

Mark I concur with you comments. I have known Lyndon for 27 years from our previous careers and whenever I get a benefits "issue" I ask him to get the answer. He is bang on.

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "13/06/2015 - 12:02":

Hi Gary

It had never occurred to me before now that you and Lyndon might know each other. It makes perfect sense though now, both ex-police in the Midlands, both highly experienced landlords and both members of MLAS. I'm guessing you both know another dear friend of mine too ... Mary Latham.
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Mark, the letting agency is doing really well. We have had to take on more staff (6 of us now). But it's more than the letting side of the business where I'm busy. I have developed, by word of mouth, a property sourcing business. In the past 8 years I have helped over 45 people become landlords. I'm in a position of strength with local estate agents and can source property at below market value. We are supported by a local conveyancer and mortgage advisor. So we can collect keys on completion, complete any works required and let the property. We have no voids and no significant arrears. No one is currently causing any damage, so we have happy clients and more recommendations.
I will update my profile.
I have recently attended 3 separate universal credit seminars with DWP. Interesting times ahead!!
Yes Gary and I go back some time - back in another life!
Mary Latham, well once met never forgotten and a mine of knowledge.
Ok I'll try to comment more often. It's not for lack of interest - it's been busy times with the opening of the shop in Wednesfield.

What would you do in this situation if the tenant told you to 'clear off' and refuse to add their boyfriend/re-sign. Aside from waiting for a S.21 to expire, what could you do in the meantime...especially if they have only recently signed a new agreement?