where do i get a loan/grant? first time renting

EmiliaAndBentley_2

i have just applied for a new flat on housing benefits im a single mum and a bit of work needs done to the property the landlord says to do the place up and treat it as my own...im wondering as i recieve income support and tax credits would i be entitled to anything?
Ta

miamoo

The landlord is responsible for any structural work that needs doing, and he should make sure its decorated if you are renting privately.
When you rent from the council they give you a small decorating allowance.
You might be able to apply to the social fund for help with household items, such as cooker, bed, etc if you need these, but this will probably be a loan which you have to pay back.

andrewmp

EmiliaAndBentley wrote: »

i have just applied for a new flat on housing benefits im a single mum and a bit of work needs done to the property the landlord says to do the place up and treat it as my own...im wondering as i recieve income support and tax credits would i be entitled to anything?
Ta

Get the landlord to sort it or go elsewhere. Why should we pay for his slum to be done up?

Or you could do it up, call it home, increase the potential rental income and get moved on in six months!

Running_Horse

The benefits board may be produce a more useful answer:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=23
Although I'm not sure how the taxpayer would get involved in a private let.

Gingernutmeg

You have no real long term rights to stay in a private rental - why would you want to spend *your* time and money decorating the landlord's property when there's no guarantee that s/he'll renew the contract after your initial term? Also, as others have said if it's structural work then it's definitely the landlord's responsibility, not yours or the councils. Personally I'd never 'do up' a landlord's property for them, why should I when there's no long term benefit for me, or no more security?

tbs624

EmiliaAndBentley wrote: »

i have just applied for a new flat on housing benefits im a single mum and a bit of work needs done to the property the landlord says to do the place up and treat it as my own...im wondering as i recieve income support and tax credits would i be entitled to anything?
Ta

As the others have said your LL has legal obligations on the structure of the property, and he has to repair & maintain the property.

There is help available on insulation etc when a tenant of a privately let property is on certain benefits.

However, if you are just talking about repainting you could always try here - Community Repaint Network co-ordinate the collections of unwanted excess paint and passes it on to community groups & people on low incomes. You could also join up to your local Freecycle Group & trawl the "offered" or place a "wanted".

Get your LL to confirm in writing that he has agreed to you redecorating or whatever else, and take photos of how it is before you start. However friendly he may seem now, you need to have covered yourself legally for when you leave. You can type it out yourself & just stick it under his nose if you have to - simply state the property address the date of the tenancy, and say " I Fred Bloggs, Landlord of the above property have agreed to my tenant (your name) may do the following: a,b & c " he then signs & dates it and you keep it safely with your tenancy agreement.

poppysarah

You shouldn't be doing up your landlords property unless he's paying you for your work and that's what you do for a living.
What if you make an error and do something wrong damaging his property?

If he wants you to decorate then I'd get him to pay for decorating materials - but I'd only do it if you're confident of being able to do it well.