LHA & private landlords..do they need to know?

crystaltipps

Hi most helpful and knowledgeable people,

I have had so much helpful advice from here, now I am back again, asking on behalf of someone else, this time!

Ok, a good friend of mine is needing to find somewhere to live, close to our uni, with her child. Her child is living with her mum at the moment, and she returns on a Friday to be with him, until Sunday nights. The arrangement is becoming increasingly hard on all parties, especially her child. She was talking of deferral but is doing really well, in a prestigious uni, on a much coveted course, and, of course, is securing a better long term future for her child too! I told her she must stick it out and we will be able to organize something. Looking at a minimum of 3 yrs letting, so long term.

I think it will be nigh on impossible to secure social housing and as I am sure many of you know, it is hard to find a landlord that might be OK with housing benefit, as it was. However, now LHA is paid to the person, does this mean she can let private and not tell the landlord?

It is worth noting that she is lovely, very trustworthy and would be an ideal tenant in every respect. Definitely not in the layabout/scrounger category!

Many thanks in advance,

Sarah

dmg24

As a student and parent, most LLs would guess that she is in receipt of benefits. If not, they are likely to ask. Some LL insurance policies do not allow letting to parents (or students!), so she would need to be honest if asked.

lizzielondon

my contract said i was not allowed to be in receipt of LHA, assume due to the insurance issue-

i don't know if this is an enforceable clause though..?

but agree with the above poster, could invalidate ll's insurance- i also believe the same clause is in some btl mortgages

dmg24

lizzielondon wrote: »

my contract said i was not allowed to be in receipt of LHA, assume due to the insurance issue-

i don't know if this is an enforceable clause though..?

but agree with the above poster, could invalidate ll's insurance- i also believe the same clause is in some btl mortgages

Why would it not be enforceable? It is not discriminatory.

lizzielondon

like i said i don't know just chuntering

crystaltipps

thank you for your responses, and so quickly too!

Ideally, we will find someone who is amenable, and she can be totally up front about it. She would hate the idea of being deceitful - but we just aren't sure we will find something before September.

I never thought about it being in the contract, or insurance implications - this is why you guys and this place is sooo great!

The problem is there is a LOT of places to rent - but they are aimed at students, in term time.

There are also lots of appropriate places on rightmove. We are planning on a trip to various places, including Student Union and the local housing offices, but as you are all aware, the more we know about this sort of stuff, the better!

Thanks again!

Sarah

Vader123

Being on LHA or HB sometimes invalidates insurance policies for non-resident land lords.

The LL must be aware if the occupent is relying on the state (ie LHA or HB) to pay their rent.

Vader

Oldernotwiser

Don't forget that some of her student funding will be taken into account when assessing her claim , so she may not get all of the LHA paid.

Jowo_2

crystaltipps wrote: »

.., now LHA is paid to the person, does this mean she can let private and not tell the landlord?

Most landlords will perform basic tenant screening to check previous landlord refs, credit check, ID check and employer/income check. This is where they will detect the source of income for the rent if the tenant doesn't 'fess up to it.

Some landlords won't take LHA tenants. Others will but will require a guarantor -can she offer one?