why do all letting agents say 'no DSS'

sassygirl_2

Can i just ask what is classed as DSS.
When i took on my property 3 yers ago it said no DSS. My husband works full time, but we still claimed HB which was paid to us not the LA (dont get it anymore though) The agents said HB wasnt classed as DSS. Anyone clarify?

terryw

sassygirl wrote: »

Can i just ask what is classed as DSS.
When i took on my property 3 yers ago it said no DSS. My husband works full time, but we still claimed HB which was paid to us not the LA (dont get it anymore though) The agents said HB wasnt classed as DSS. Anyone clarify?

Usually "no DSS" means no HB as the main problem as mentioned above by several posters is the delays in paying HB. But if you are a tenant wishing to let it is well-worthwhile stressing that you are workers.

These days the HB is paid direct to the tenant and will only be paid to the landlord if rent arrears accrue. In the first instance the landlord will not know if you are claiming HB unless you tell him, and providing you pay the rent as per the contract he is unlikely to find out.

terryw

socrates

terryw wrote: »

Usually "no DSS" means no HB as the main problem as mentioned above by several posters is the delays in paying HB. But if you are a tenant wishing to let it is well-worthwhile stressing that you are workers.

These days the HB is paid direct to the tenant and will only be paid to the landlord if rent arrears accrue. In the first instance the landlord will not know if you are claiming HB unless you tell him, and providing you pay the rent as per the contract he is unlikely to find out.

terryw

A decent LL will know as the reference checks will ascertain if the tenant is working or not.

It is quite obvious if a tenant has no salary that their rent must be coming from somewhere.

There are other reasons why a LL will receive LHA directly - in cases of learning difficulties, substance abuse etc.

If a tenant who is claiming benefits came to me - with a deposit and I went along with them to the benefits office and got their consent to discuss their claim - I would judge them on an individual basis.

LHA is paid on a two weekly basis and the days of 12 weeks for a claim to go through are long over.

I would NOT use a LA to find me a tenant who is claiming benefits I could go to my Local Authority and ask them to put me in touch with prospective tenants.

If I can get a guarantor even better

terryw

socrates wrote: »

A decent LL will know as the reference checks will ascertain if the tenant is working or not.

It is quite obvious if a tenant has no salary that their rent must be coming from somewhere.

There are other reasons why a LL will receive LHA directly - in cases of learning difficulties, substance abuse etc.

If a tenant who is claiming benefits came to me - with a deposit and I went along with them to the benefits office and got their consent to discuss their claim - I would judge them on an individual basis.

LHA is paid on a two weekly basis and the days of 12 weeks for a claim to go through are long over.

I would NOT use a LA to find me a tenant who is claiming benefits I could go to my Local Authority and ask them to put me in touch with prospective tenants.

If I can get a guarantor even better

I had replied to sassygirl whose husband is working full-time so he has a salary. There is no reason to suppose that the other reasons for paying HB direct apply in this case so there was no reason for me to mention them.

terryw