Client and partner buy a new home on a joint mortgage in November 2007; the intention was to move in as a couple but they did not do this straight away. In December 2007 they separated as Social Services said they couldn’t live together. Mr goes to live in the mortgaged property with two of the children; he is working full-time but on a low income. Mrs goes to live in a rented accommodation with one of the children and claims IS and HB.

Mr is now struggling with the mortgage payments. He has asked if he does a ‘house swap’ with his ex-partner, i.e. she goes to live in the mortgaged property and he goes to the rented one, whether Mrs would qualify for mortgage help via IS. I suspect she will fall foul of Schedule 3 paragraph 15(1)(a) as she was not previously occupying the accommodation as the home but wanted to see what other people think.

Putting this in writing also makes me realise the amount of holes in my client’s story so if there is a chance Mrs will qualify for help what further information might we need?

Thanks, Andrew.