What proof required for accommodation provided by brother

[brit72]

The council currently pays me housing benefit for rent that I pay to my brother for his 2 bedroom flat (all squared and official and he lives abroad). He is happy for my husband to join me and live in the flat rent-free and will write a letter to this effect. He owns the flat outright and I have a notartised copy of the letter from morgage company saying he has paid off rent on this property.
1. Would I need to get him to dig out the title deeds as well or would this be enough proof?
2. I can provide an original letter from council benefits re rent of flat, which confirms I am "single occupancy" - but do I need to prove how many rooms etc with photos and measurements or is his word/ description sufficient?
Thanks.

[batleykhan]

You are going to have some problems here.

1.You are not allowed to live in your relatives house and claim housing benefit ( close relative = parents.kids,brother and sisters house.). Do the Council know this?

2. Even if you are allowed to live in teh house/flat,if you are claiming housing benefit,you are going to have derious problem when you apply for your spouse visa, as things such as this are going to count against you. If on theother hand he allows you to live rent free, then you should be ok.

I dont think you will need to get a housing report as only you and your spouse will be living there. You will need a tennancy agreement if you rent, or if you are going to live free, then you will need a letter of consent from your brother.

[brit72]

Thanks- but council know it is owned by brother and this is allowed as he lives and works abroad. They checked it all out when I first moved in and it is a genuine rental agreement so that is no problem,
I am on public funds and know re problems but have savings etc so shpould be fine thanks.