We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Why no DSS/LHA ?
Comments
-
Friend of ours now totally refuses to let to DSS tenants or whatever they're called now.
It's just about guaranteed he'll get no rent for the first 2 months, then incur costs trying to get them out, before having to repair the wreckage they leave behind.
One tenant paid nothing for the 14 months he was in residence then trashed the place before he finally left.0 -
Friend of ours now totally refuses to let to DSS tenants or whatever they're called now.
It's just about guaranteed he'll get no rent for the first 2 months, then incur costs trying to get them out, before having to repair the wreckage they leave behind.
One tenant paid nothing for the 14 months he was in residence then trashed the place before he finally left.
But the majority of DSS are not like that. One bad experience can not be a marker for judging. There are some very dodgy working folk out there, just because someone works does not mean they are a decent law abiding citizen at all.
Tax evasion is 120 billion. I still think that a lot of LL won't accept DSS for tax evasion reasons, especially if the property is still mortgaged.
I would also err on the side of caution too, if you do tar all DSS with the same brush, as some on DSS may do the relevant searches and pass the LL names on - I know of situations where this has been done.“How people treat you becomes their karma; how you react becomes yours.”0 -
Simply, it's a case of risk/reward. Currently (this could change), a landlord generally has a choice of potential tenants and he will always short list the ones who are in a profession and currently employed. Whether it is right or wrong is immaterial. It's just the way it is unfortunately.FREEDOM IS NOT FREE0
-
Perhaps it's time for a campaign to highlight the problems landlords do have with some LHA tenants.
There is a perception that all landlords are 'scumbag millionaires', not everybody holds that view but there are enough to make it a view well known. Those same people may not know that if a landlord takes on a LHA claimant he is almost always going to be owed money right from the start of the tenancy because the claim is paid in arrears when the rent is due in advance.
Then there is the problem that the tenant is not bound by law to spend the allowance on rents, some will take advantage of that.
The well known bias of judges towards not evicting tenants because of misplaced feelings of social justice, or just plain believing the lies they are told, also leads to many landlords not wanting to saddle themselves with a possible problem.
It can easily take 5 months or more to remove a tenant from a property, the cost can run into thousands. The landlord has to follow every letter of the law, meanwhile the tenant pays no more rent (usually), even council housing departments advise tenants to wait until the bailiff actually knocks on the door before leaving, all this costs the landlord money, at the end of it he often has a trashed property to put right before he can re-let it.
Do you think he is going to be looking for another LHA tenant after that?
Most landlords, especially private ones, have one or two properties they have bought to provide their pensions in their old age, they have done it by going without a lot of the finer things in life, they may be worth a few bob on paper but in reality their lifestyles are no grander than those they rent their properties to.
This is not a rant, if it were it would be a lot longer and more detailed.0 -
Even the most honest, clean and respectful hb tenant could have problems with a claim which could mean the rent is late through no fault of their own.
I'd say that is a reason that does not impinge on any stereotype of employed/unemployed people. Though this could happen with wages too, but less likely.0 -
Equally, I would only ever consider working people - more chances of getting the rent paid regularly and the place looked after.
As a retired person on LHA I have far more time to keep my flat neat and tidy than a working person. I also think that the pensioners of today were brought up at a time when respect was high on the agenda so I'd guess that older people on LHA would in general be good tenants.It's someone else's fault.0 -
"" I still think that a lot of LL won't accept DSS for tax evasion reasons, especially if the property is still mortgaged.""
you have mentioned this several times now and i have no idea what you mean - could you expand.?0 -
in January everyone under the age of 35 on Local Housing Allowance will only be entitled to the "shared room rate" - ie enough LHA to fund one room in a shared house - HMO - This is going to cause massive problems of homlessness for the young.0
-
"" I still think that a lot of LL won't accept DSS for tax evasion reasons, especially if the property is still mortgaged.""
you have mentioned this several times now and i have no idea what you mean - could you expand.?
http://t i ny.cc/bpng3. < retype as the mse filter blocks tiny urls
Rent is income. Additionally if a property is still mortgaged and rented out the mortgage company have to be informed. Insurance can be higher and mortgage repayments can be higher.
It is well known there are many LL who keep things quiet. Having a DSS applicant means that they may not remain anonymous in the system. Someone working paying cash in hand, with no form filling to the DWP is unlikely to compromise the LL, and is therfore less of a risk.“How people treat you becomes their karma; how you react becomes yours.”0 -
in January everyone under the age of 35 on Local Housing Allowance will only be entitled to the "shared room rate" - ie enough LHA to fund one room in a shared house - HMO - This is going to cause massive problems of homlessness for the young.
Perhaps this legislation will give some of the young people who can work an impetus to find work and earn money which will assist them in accomplishing their aspirations to afford a place of their own.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.8K Spending & Discounts
- 244.4K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.1K Life & Family
- 257.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards