ESA and Rent a Room Scheme

My nephew 30 years old , may be able to move into a property with an extra room.
Property will be given by a kind relative into a Trust in his name so he cannot have access directly to funds
He is Aspergers and in receipt of ESA Income Related Support Group

If he moves into such accommodation, can he make use of rent a room scheme. Or could the Trust do so on his behalf. It is run by a Large National Charity. Can such rental income be used by the charity to support any needs he may have.
Would this affect his ESA?

Maybe living with someone else would also provide him with some social support and companionship.

We as family members are also worried as he has started online gambling and trying to learn how to trade in Forex,! A very very bright man but with hopeless social skills who lives in a fantasy world. He has never worked in his life, but is brilliant at Bridge and learning languages on the Internet. A terrible waste

Thanks

Hi Claude and welcome to the forum. On the assumption that you are also new to the site, this link should help you find your way around.

Welcome to Benefits and Work

May I also ask you to read this topic please?

The situation you describe is quite unusual and one in which I think specialist advice should be sought.

I can tell you that the income-related ESA would be reduced £ for £ if the young man directly received rent for the room. However, I don't know what the situation would be if the trust were to receive the rent - or even if that would be allowed under the'rent a room' scheme or the terms of the trust. The first port of call should be the trustees I think?

It may be that one of the members or other mods has direct experience of this, so I will leave the topic open should anyone be able to help.

If you have any further comments or questions about this man's ESA claim, please reply to this message and we will do our best to help. It makes our lives very much easier if everything relating to one subject is kept in the same place. You will find it easily in future if you bookmark/favourite it on your web browser now. Thank you in advance for your co-operation in this matter

Thanks so much for giving me these tips, especially re role and responsibility of trustees who will own the property in trust. Luckily they are a big national charity so may have some experience of this