Dss tenants yes/no your stories good/bad

sjcollett

Hi, we rent properties to LHA. Unless they are classed as vulnerable the money goes direct to the tenant. We have had some issues with this - but no more than working people who lose their jobs. IMHO every case is different and is judged on it's own merits. As a standard we will still take one month rent in advance and a deposit (normally equivalent to one month's deposit) in this way way LHA tenants are treated the same as other tenants who are working. This may be a disadvantage but we have to do this as a) the council pays in arrears b) a deposit is for the condition of the house. I understand some landlords also get a guarantor - we do not do this unless the person is a student. We also will liaise with the council and ensure that payments are made on time.

lifesuckssometimes

real1314 wrote: »

I don't think that working or living on benefits changes the core values of a person; plenty of working people have violent/abusive/anti-social tendencies; plenty of benefit claimants have strong moral values.

The media have a lot to do with the scare mongering about dss tenants.


Also LL have to worry about cannabis growers using their house as a greenhouse :eek: Risky business being a LL

adg1

socrates wrote: »

Rents are very poor for this type of rental

They are actually based on local market values - a median of all available rents for that type of property.

It changes monthly throughout the year.

Obviously other things to affect it but the local market is the main factor. The flat a couple of doors down is let for £200 more than I pay and they are DSS tenants.

Be aware that councils will want extra safety certificates than private rentals.

Also, I know my local council are very biased towards the tenant, they will often offer you a letter of guarantee instead of a deposit (which only covers damage NOT missed rent). It has been known in this area (Kngston/Richmond Borough in South/West London) that they will advice tenants to stay put if they have had notice offered and they have nowhere to go - so they end up being evicted which is a very expensive and longwinded process.

On the other hand, you can get great tenants who are just in a difficult position in their lives. The downside is that you can't necessarily chose. With private rentals more references are available to you so you can make a far more informed decision.

socrates

adg1 wrote: »

They are actually based on local market values - a median of all available rents for that type of property.

It changes monthly throughout the year.

Obviously other things to affect it but the local market is the main factor. The flat a couple of doors down is let for £200 more than I pay and they are DSS tenants.

Be aware that councils will want extra safety certificates than private rentals.

Also, I know my local council are very biased towards the tenant, they will often offer you a letter of guarantee instead of a deposit (which only covers damage NOT missed rent). It has been known in this area (Kngston/Richmond Borough in South/West London) that they will advice tenants to stay put if they have had notice offered and they have nowhere to go - so they end up being evicted which is a very expensive and longwinded process.

On the other hand, you can get great tenants who are just in a difficult position in their lives. The downside is that you can't necessarily chose. With private rentals more references are available to you so you can make a far more informed decision.

The type of rent discussed in this particular case (if you scroll back) is well below the LHA rate - as they perform maintenance (the council that is - and it is taken from the LL for a fixed period) - very often they take weeks to perform the maintenance - I know many LL's and not one of them got back the property anywhere near the state they gave it to the council in.

Furthermore if you intend to challenge the condition you need to leave the property untouched until they come to inspect it - which can take weeks. So therefore you lose rent

Its ok to give advice on here but passing on information from a mate of a mate without having specific knowledge and experience on a forum is misleading.

Generally the rentals on a property where the council perform the maintenance are £100 less a month than the LHA rate - and the condition they are returned in is abysmal.

Dreamer2010

Hi
I claim HB and i must say i am a lovely tenant I claim as although i work i am a single parent and so can not afford the whole rent of £900.

The first home i rented was above where i live now and i redecoreted 2 of the rooms i did not tell the LL i was claiming as the council have told me its not actually any of there buisness i have since heard this is not true BUT what i do know is if i was to try and find a place in my area while saying i was claiming i know every propertie would instantly be unavailible.

When i decided to move as i wanted a garden i was lucky that the flat below was up for rent they know/ assumed i was on houseing benefit as i was on my own but as they knew i was quite and respectful they were quite happy with it.

A few things
*Always get a garantor
* Keep in contact with your neighbours they will know if the tenant is not looking after the house and will be more than happy to tell you.
* Take a good invertory
*If you are going to have the propertie managed do a lot of checks on the agent.

x x

clutton_2

"Yes..people on DLA/Pensioner tenants are great. Just get them in and get them signed up to warm front et voilà...landlord gets new central heating system courtesy of Joe taxpayer..free of charge..""

and the people who most benefit from the newly fitted green central heating system will be the tenants..


why is it ok for tenant to claims state benefit in the guise of LHA - but not ok for tenants to claim state benefits in the guise of WarmFront to make their lives better.... and yes iWarmfront does benefit the LL also, but, in a much less obvious way....