why do all letting agents say 'no DSS'

housebug

Ah, I see. More greed. The same thing that got the Planet into this mess to start with. Appreciate the input tho.

clairehi

barnaby-bear wrote: »

Many LLs can not afford to cover a mortgage whilst the rent is in arrears 3 months waiting for a LHA/HB claim and many tenants can't afford to fund it in interim from their own funds.

I can well believe this many years ago I had to claim hb whilst living in private rented and it took 4 months to process the claim. fortunately ll was able to wait, but we had to phone up the council and say he was on the point of evicting me before they paid the claim.

peachyprice

Have you checked with your council? Ours have a list of letting agents who have LL's on their books who are willing to take DSS, and with whom they will also help out with the deposit.

HTH.

terryw

housebug wrote: »

Ah, I see. More greed. The same thing that got the Planet into this mess to start with. Appreciate the input tho.

Sorry but I can't understand this post. It does not appear to relate to any preceding posts. Could you elaborate please so that I can try to understand. thanks.

terryw

Conrad

housebug wrote: »

Ah, I see. More greed. The same thing that got the Planet into this mess to start with. Appreciate the input tho.

Blimey, thats one of the starkest mental shortcuts I've seen!

Greed? Most LLs are ordinary folk struggling to pay mortgages. One day if you ever become a LL, remember to let to DSS even though statistically there is a higher chance you wont get the rent so your own children will have to go without things whilst you pay the B2L mortgage out of your own wages.

If your benefits were paid late, how would you feel?

No one has said 'you' are a bad risk, it's simply down to general experience and statistics. If for some reason the rent was stopped by the council, or clawed back would you care about the LL's own family having less money?#

Greed:T

DdraigGoch

So, does anyone here have any experience of letting a house, through an agent - I'm considering this as I shall be living nextdoor to the tenants and I think it might make things a little less awkward - to reliable people? What should I look out for? It will be a DSS tenancy.

becky2011

Also some BTL mortgage providers stipulate that tenants cannot be DSS so landlords are not able offer a tenancy to someone in receipt of benefits.

Conrad

Ddraig

your'e a brave soul thats for sure.

Imagine the knocks at the door at 9pm on a Sunday to ask you to fix the tap, kill the rat or unblock the sink. Some tenants will be very attuned to thier rights and not too in tune with self responsibility.

What about the party with glasses breaking setting your nerves on edge!
The bonfire that threatens to engulf your fence. The dog poo - yes they said they didn't have a pet but thier mum died and someone had to take muttley in didn;t they.
The last thing I would ever do is have my tenant next door.

I once had a Solicitor as a tenant, who turned out to be the worst I ever had, so don't be too swayed by appearances.

I would insist on thier parents providing a utility bill to prove thier own address and have them sign as guarantors to giev extra security.

There are many many reasons for tenants not paying on time, DSS or not.

martinman3

becky2011 wrote: »

Also some BTL mortgage providers stipulate that tenants cannot be DSS so landlords are not able offer a tenancy to someone in receipt of benefits.

Also if the property being let is a flat then there is also the possibility that you are invalidating the entire buildings insurance policy by letting to DSS tenants. Many policies do not allow this and in the event of a serious claim they may not pay out. This would result in all other leaseholders sueing you for the loss.

If anyone if thinking of letting to DSS tenants contact the managing agent/freeholder first and ensure that you have permission first. Though I can guess what their response is likely to be as if it is possible it will probably increase the premium.

Q1969

Ive heard more horror stories regarding DSS tenants than professional tenants. But there are also technicalities, mentioned by a few people in this thread, that won't allow landlords to let out to DSS tenants.