Housing benefit problem please help!?

Hi, ive recenlty lost my job and having to claim housing benefit since moving into new accomodation.

I have everything sorted apart from the fact i need a tenancy agreement or letter from my landlord.
I had never signed a tenancy agreement or met my landlord, becasue when i moved in i dealt with things purely through the girl living here, who told me our landlord was her grandmother.

so i asked her to give me the phone number of her grandmother so i could get the information i need. Then she told me her grandmother wasn't actually the landlord - and that the house was dealt with by an agency, and the agency does not know i am living here.

She then suggested i contact the agency but i would have to pretend i havent already moved in, pay a deposit, and sign a tenancy agreement in the future (when my housing benifet form claim dates 3rd may 2009) so i cannot do this.

She then suggested giving our address and her pretending to be my landlord, or giving a friends address, but tick the box stating i wish not to have my landlord contacted.

Would this be ok?
i'm so stuck i just don't know what to do! I'm in desperate need of some aid, until i get back into work and i am entitled i just cannot prove it as surly as i want to.

If anyone would have any info at all i would be very grateful! - the form does state my landlord doesnt have to be contacted- but i still dont want to get in any trouble !

thanks!

As things stand, you have currently done nothing wrong. You have stayed at a place and paid money to do so. So far, so good.

Now things are starting to change. If you go along with what is being suggested, you will then become a party to a fraud and are likely to be dealt with should things come to light (which they usually do). This will have a very bad effect on your future credit rating too.

It sounds a though the time has come to find alternative living arrangements.

shes up to some thing if you ask me , just get intouch with the agency and tell them the truth , and tell the benefits the truth too, so your dates you moved in will match , be care full she might be in it for her self , maybe she wants you to pay her rent so that way so doesn't have to pay any thing out of her pocket , the rent you give her she will tell the agency and make out its from her so they don't know you really live there x just be careful

If you get caught out lying you could face jail.

My sister is in a situation similar to yours, however she has been a good tenant for 2 years previous to losing her job and now has to claim benefits, however landlady hasn't renewed tenancy agreement making her a month to month tenant and meaning she has no proof either.

Currently you are living there illegally even if you didn't know because your house mate lied. What your housemate did is illegal as she has no right to sublet. If agency knew they would probably evict you both - far easier to evict you as you have no agreement and no protection.