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Clarification on 'no DSS'

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  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,256
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    I would like the answer to the following. Many agencies say the reason that they can't accept housing benefit is that the mortgage companies/insurance companies forbid it. In these uncertain times, anyone can lose their job, especially if they have been employed for less than two years. In that case the tenants will suddenly find themselves on benefits. As long as they pay the rent, they can't be evicted. In fact, there is no reason that the agency/LL would ever know. It makes a mockery of the no benefits rule doesn't it? The only people who have a guaranteed income for life are pensioners:D
  • Kim_kim
    Kim_kim Posts: 3,725
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    Well considering almost all families I know claim their £20/week child benefit...

    Ah I wasn't thinking of child benefit, then yes I know lots of people.

    Take away child benefit & pensions, I hardly know anyone.
  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515
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    Kim_kim wrote: »
    Ah I wasn't thinking of child benefit, then yes I know lots of people.

    Take away child benefit & pensions, I hardly know anyone.

    Tax credits?
  • FBaby
    FBaby Posts: 18,367
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    Of course someone on benefit can be a great tenant and someone working be the one who end up not paying and cutting all contact but it's about risks.

    A tenant working for at least a couple of years even if made redundant will have statistically more chance to get another job then someone who has been unemployed for 2 years. They are also more likely to hedge savings.

    In the end it's about what can be afforded. If the property is a popular one likely to attract professionals why not pick them over an unemployed tenant?
  • parking_question_chap
    parking_question_chap Posts: 2,694
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    edited 10 June 2017 at 5:37PM
    Pixie5740 wrote: »
    And what pray tell is a "DSS person?" How are you defining a "DSS person?" You do realise that someone in employment with no children can still be in receipt of benefits.

    Generally speaking a letting agent/landlord would define a DSS person as somebody that relies on benefits of any form to be able to pay their rent bills. The decision to let to them or not would be based on the likelihood they would miss rent payments should any benefits get withdrawn, some say no DSS without exception.

    Depends on personal situation, some DSS would still have means to pay the rent, though generally most would be a high risk, hence many agents/landlords avoid.
  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515
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    Generally speaking a letting agent/landlord would define a DSS person as somebody that relies on benefits of any form to be able to pay their rent bills. The decision to let to them or not would be based on the likelihood they would miss rent payments should any benefits get withdrawn, some say no DSS without exception.

    Depends on personal situation, some DSS would still have means to pay the rent, though generally most would be a high risk, hence many agents/landlords avoid.

    Essentially any person, couple or family who receives any kind of benefit which rules out the majority of adults in the UK then because if they didn't require benefits to help with household expenses they wouldn't get them. In the case of a family you would require one of the parents to earn over £50k per annum to ensure that the family weren't what you would call "DSS."
  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515
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    FBaby wrote: »
    Of course someone on benefit can be a great tenant and someone working be the one who end up not paying and cutting all contact but it's about risks.

    A tenant working for at least a couple of years even if made redundant will have statistically more chance to get another job then someone who has been unemployed for 2 years. They are also more likely to hedge savings.

    In the end it's about what can be afforded. If the property is a popular one likely to attract professionals why not pick them over an unemployed tenant?

    Are you defining "DSS" as someone who is not working then rather than someone who receives some sort of benefit? That appears to be different to how parking_question_chap defines "DSS" which just goes to show that it means different things to different people. It's a lazy and outdated way to advertise a property.
  • Pixie5740 wrote: »
    Essentially any person, couple or family who receives any kind of benefit which rules out the majority of adults in the UK then because if they didn't require benefits to help with household expenses they wouldn't get them. In the case of a family you would require one of the parents to earn over £50k per annum to ensure that the family weren't what you would call "DSS."

    Personally its a judgement call, the decision would be made not just on the benefits claimed but their monthly spending habits as well.
  • Kim_kim
    Kim_kim Posts: 3,725
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    Pixie5740 wrote: »
    Tax credits?

    I think of tax credits as a proper benefit - I don't know if anyone I know gets it.
    You have to have quite a low income to get it & most people I know are all working, both people in couples.
    You have to in the SE, to put a roof over your head.
  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515
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    Kim_kim wrote: »
    I think of tax credits as a proper benefit - I don't know if anyone I know gets it.
    You have to have quite a low income to get it & most people I know are all working, both people in couples.
    You have to in the SE, to put a roof over your head.

    A household with 2 children and an income of £55k that has child care costs is entitled to child tax credits and if either parent earns less than £50k they get child benefit as well. I know the SE is expensive to live on but not every household will be bringing in over £55k even with two working parents.
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