Accommodation in a non-declared rented flat

[I4505]

Hi,

I am a PhD student who's considering bringing in his partner to the UK. I am currently renting a room in a host family house. I have been told lately that "nobody knows that I'm here" by the landlord, meaning that I'm not declared. But when I asked him if he is willing to help me to accommodate and invite my partner to his house he responded positively.

My question - does an invitation letter (a letter from the landlord stating that she is welcome and has place in the house with me) sufficient in Tier 4 dependant visa application ? if not, what document do I need ?

Thanks.

[Casa]

Yes, a letter agreeing to your wife living in the accommodation is required, but the comment that 'no one knows you are there' raises concern.

Are you sure the landlord isn't actually a tenant, possible of a local authority (Council) property? If so, HO checks may well uncover that he isn't the legal landlord and is sub-letting.

You need to delve more into the reasoning behind his reluctance to be open about you living in the household.

[sah10406]

does an invitation letter (a letter from the landlord stating that she is welcome and has place in the house with me) sufficient in Tier 4 dependant visa application ? if not, what document do I need?

No evidence of housing is required. Where are you getting the idea that she needs to provide this evidence?

[Casa]

It appears then that the HO aren't bothered whether student dependants live in adequate accommodation. It may be wise however for your own peace of mind to check that your landlord isn't illegally sub-letting Council property.

[I4505]

It appears then that the HO aren't bothered whether student dependants live in adequate accommodation. It may be wise however for your own peace of mind to check that your landlord isn't illegally sub-letting Council property.

I am sure that the house is his property and he is not illegally sub-letting council property. I started living with this family via a school that sent me there, which verifies the houses and all their documents before including them in their databases. When I finished my course with this school, I decided to continue renting with them.

He told me that nobody knows I am there when I gave him the tax exemption document. So my first thoughts (maybe I'm wrong, I don't fully understand the uk system) were that he is avoiding taxes by not declaring me.

No evidence of housing is required. Where are you getting the idea that she needs to provide this evidence?

From the website (https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk), there is a textfield where they ask where we are going to live. I thought also the more evidence I provide the more chances I would have to get a positive response.

[sah10406]

From the website (https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk), there is a textfield where they ask where we are going to live.

That's just so they have a UK address where they can contact the applicant later, if necessary. It is not any kind of assessment or check of the applicant's housing.

I thought also the more evidence I provide the more chances I would have to get a positive response.

Absolutely not! Garlanding an application with unnecessary documents is a terrible idea. It can slow down the process, and can in itself trigger a refusal if, for example, an irrelevant document is suspected to be not genuine. Throwing everything but the Spam sink at an application just makes it look like the applicant doesn't really understand the eligibility for the visa. Keep it simple, just send what is asked for.

[I4505]

That's just so they have a UK address where they can contact the applicant later, if necessary. It is not any kind of assessment or check of the applicant's housing.

Thanks.