Please help where do i stand

[gazza]

Hi, please help.

I have recently split with my girlfriend, we have 1 (1 on the way) child together, but have never lived together.
Last year i bought a house and over the last 12 months have been renovating it, only i have been living here in the last 6 months, Problem is now me and my girlfriend have gone our seperate ways she is having a problem finding somewhere to live. Now i am aware that if she had been living with me for 6 months or more she could have put a claim in on my house, but an idea i had(as i dont want to see my children on the street) is i thought i could move back to my mothers, and rent the house out to her on DSS, where do istand in terms of her being able to put a claim in on the house once she's in there, or is it considered strictly a landlord-tenant relationship, and the fact that their my children and ex g/f has nothing to do with it?

Any help appreciated, Thanks Gary

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

When you write DSS, do you mean Department of Social Services? In other words, having a government agency pay your girlfriends rent to you?

If so, that idea may not fly legally.

Frankly, if I were your girlfriend, I'd sue you for child support and then be able to use this money to rent my own place.

Gail

 

[gazza]

I already pay my girlfriend chid supposrt and always have, i pay her more than what the CSA (child support agency)reccommends. The only reason we were looking down this route is the lack of social housing in our area, the current waiting list is 2-4 years, and as much as i love my children, im not going to sign away my house to her, as i have put all my savings time into this house which she has put nothing. This would mean 25 years of debt and living at my mothers, which isnt an option.

 

[jacksgal]

She has options.
Stay with Family
Seek welfare and food stamps coupled with CS
Go to work
Give you custody of children

Why is only option your home?

 

[gazza]

Well to be onest at the moment she does have other options, such as staying at her mothers, to be honest id gladly let her stay with me rent free for aslong as she needed to find another place. but the problem is this 6 month rule where she can lay a claim to my house, if not for that it wouldnt be a problem. And although we're on good terms now who knows in 6months time, and ive known a friend and a family member who have tryed this and ad bad experiences, so i was hoping to avoid it.
Does anyone know wether we could avoid this if maybe i let a room out to her, charging a tiny fee just to make it all above board, and avoid the chance i might loose my house?

In regards to me having custody, the only problem is i work shifts and child care fee's would out strip what id earn, so we'd then both be out of a home.

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

I'm not sure where you've come up with that someone who lives in your house for six months or longer can now lay claim to owning it.

If she lives with you (even not paying rent), she would be considered a "tenant at will" or a month to month renter. As such most states require only a 30 day written notice (although in my state of Georgia the landlord must provide a written 60 day notice) to terminate the tenancy.

Lots of folks live together in a house that one person has purchased; if they break up this doesn't mean the non-owner now owns part of the place. It does mean one cannot simply physically kick them out on the street.

And unless there is a severe disability at issue, the Public Housing Authority will not reimburse a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister or brother landlord.

Gail