Benefit Fraud. Is signing a tenancy agreement yourself enough to be taken to court?

[oilmart1]

I had an interview under caution for claiming housing benefit and I said no comment when asked if the landlord had signed the tenancy or if I had. If I signed it recklessly but meant to pay the landlord, is that enough to take someone to court for? By recklessly, I mean that there is an actual landlord rather than fraudulently, where the landlord is fake or made up. But the tenant signed for him. As it happens, I didn't get any HB paid out due to a different rule (I own part of the home:))

[Jan1957]

I'm sorry but your question makes no sense whatsoever. From what I can make out if you tried to claim HB and you own part of the home, then yes you can be taken to court for fraud.

[bednobs]

you can't be your own landlord, Did you tell them in your claim you own part o the house, or did it only come to light when they were invesitgating. One of the posters on here works in the benefit fraud place so she might be able to come along and help you more

[sara3]

yes, you falsified a document to support your fraudulent claim.

[daffy654]

You tried to claim HB to pay rent for a house that you own?

[ummmm]

Yes...it's still fraud.

The chances of it happening are pretty slim though.

[ojread2]

I think you can claim HB for the rent part of your home if you become unemployed in the same way as any other tenant can but not for the mortgaged part, that bit would be paid by your insurance

[sara3]

ummmm.. it depends on the fraud team's targets. it's coming to the end of the financial year and they could well prosecute.

it is prosecutable, anyway.

[ummmm]

Of course they can and oilmart should be aware of that. I say it's slim as no money was actually paid out.