DSS tenant or students with no guarrantor

fumken

fumken wrote: »

Please help! I have had my house on the market for over two months, because a deal fell through as tenants failed refs and had no guarrantor. The agent had previously lied that they passed, so I refused others and lost on all sides.
Dear All,
I am so grateful for all the advice you have given. I will let you know how it all goes in the end.
Cheers

hellokitty08

ok, I work in lettings and this is my advice.

Phone the local council housing department if you can, they should be able to tell you how much much a single woman with xx kids would get for housing.
Then you should know if its ok, it usually works that people know how much they will be entitled to, but the claim can not be processed until the letting arrangement has been signed.
The boss of the company that I work for, always charges a larger damage deposit to international students, as he says they tend to cause more damage to properties. (I personally don’t know) Plus then you have more to cover yourself if they leave. However always take rent in advance, we never have problems getting this from international students

fumken

Thanks very much indeed. Most appreciated.

spongerob500

As far as I was aware the council do not pay full rent. Also, the council have to assess the property to see whether the rent pcm is 'fair' and to assess how much of the rent they will actually pay towards it.

theartfullodger

Better an empty property than the "Tenant from Hell". Be realistic, if you get the wrong tenants it will probably take 9 months to get them out. Guarantor or nothing i say.

Cheers!

Lodger

overandout_2

I agree with Firefox. International students tend to be better off and have a nice sum of money to pay rent. They have to pay a huge amount for university/college fees.... and the reason why they do not have any guarantors because they do not have any relatives here to guarantee them... hence willing to pay 3 months in advance for rent.....this is supposed to reassure you.

I know because I used to be a student before And had to do the same thing....paying a couple of months in advance since I have no relatives here to guarantee me. Never had problems with the landlord....

I personally would go for the international students...but then I could just be biased

debrag

spongerob500 wrote: »

As far as I was aware the council do not pay full rent. Also, the council have to assess the property to see whether the rent pcm is 'fair' and to assess how much of the rent they will actually pay towards it.

That is not how LHA works, I think they checked the property when it was HB. Full rent IS paid if the claimant is on benefits, deductions are taken from income for anything up to £16,000 a year I think, then your not entitled.

fumken

Dear All,
Thanks for all the advice. I am so much wiser and agree that an empty property is better than a tenant from hell. I have finally been given the refs for the DSS tenant. She has a fraud score of 50. (What does that mean?) and 1 CCJ for about £7800 in August 2007, but has a guarrantor and the council are paying. Does this seem neat enough or should I run at this stage?
Thanks a million everyone.
Kind regards.

theartfullodger

Hmmnn...

Think I'd do guarantor referencing first (several people do these including letsure (I've used them, & have no other connection with them).. and see if the Guarantor checks out..

Take copious info from tenant & guarantor (references, work & personal "emergency contacts", copies of passport or driving licence, payslips (for the NI number..) Why? Well, what is said will be interesting, but you need the info if the tenant turns out other than perfect (I'm sure they will be fine...) so you can trace them later..., and make sure you have a good inventory....

If this is all OK get everyone to sign the tenancy (it MUST include the guarantor) and have it as a DEED (see.
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=22251
)

Otherwise (apparently) it might not stand up in court...

Have a look at
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=22251
post 11..

Cheers!

Lodger

fumken

Dear Lodger,
Great information. Thanks a million.
Kind regards.