Ways around being disqualified for being on housing benefit?

moromir

Penny_watcher wrote: »

@moromir
Likewise, you talk about the EXTREME example of my mum dying, it is more likely you would get fired from/lose your job than the parent suddenly passing (statistically in the short time which you reside as a tenant at the property). Even if she did (since you wish to follow this extreme line of thinking) I would have her will money to pay for it.

I didn't mention anything about your mum dying, I said what if something happens to her. That could be a multitude of things, both statisticly likely and improbable. What Iif she loses her job (something which, as you mention, could be reality in this climate), or what if the company holding her pension goes bankrupt, and yes, now that you mention it, what if she died? And you would be mistaken to think you 'would have her will money'. Are you aware how long probate can take to sort out? Are you aware that bank accounts are routinely frozen while its being sorted out?

Penny_watcher wrote: »

This is beside the point really. I don't want to get bogged down in the why is it the way it is, cos it is and it isn't changing any time soon so better to work around it.

Its hardly beside the point, you asked us why Landlords won't take LHA and we're laying it out for you but you don't seem to be taking much of it on board.

Penny_watcher wrote: »

^ So legally this means they can't contact my landlord if I told them 'no' in the box (as per data protection act)? I certainly could not see myself 'needing' them to contact the landlord for anything.

Not necesserily, there is legislation that allows companies to circumvent DPA in the event that the information would assist in a criminal investigation for whatever reason but its not something I know a great deal about.

Its also an option to facilitate them sorting out minor problems. For example, say you arrange for your LHA to be paid direct to the Agent, say that payment bounces from their account for whatever reason.

Hypothetical situation:
If you ticked the box the accounts lady at the council can phone the Agent direct, 'Oh hello I understand you let 1b Anywhere Road to Mr Person, we've tried to forward the LHA but its not reached your account, could you confirm your account number please', the agent: 'oh certainly its 012345678' council lady - 'ok great we'll get this sorted today for you' problem solved.

If you don't - council lady has to write to you - several days to get through the post, a couple of days until you have time to call your agent/are able to call during working hours, another couple of days if you have to call back to speak to the right person, same again to get hold of the right woman at the council etc etc. Meanwhile your Landlord is getting more irritated by the day that they haven't recieved their rent.

Penny_watcher wrote: »

In terms of references if my mum were the one paying then I guess they would credit check my mum but ask for references from my old landlord (cos I'll still be the one living there). In that case there is a chance the old landlord would say I was on benefit but I don't see any reason why that would come up. In terms of questions I imagine they'd just ask if rent was paid on time and if I was a good tenant (I have never once missed a payment in 2 years of living there). Even if they found that I was on it (unlikely as I don't see they would have cause to ask) I could just say 'I was but not any more as my mum is paying it now'.

I'm sorry and I don't mean to be rude but you need a wake up call. No reputable Agent will accept this situation. A reputable Agent WILL credit check you and that entails checking your affordability based on the salary your employer confirms. You will be the person on the Tenancy Agreement, you will have the sole liability of paying the rent each month, regardless as to whether your mother is handing you the cash to do so. Even if you arrange for your mother to be your Guarantor, a reputable Agent will still be checking you out fully. Do you really want to run the risk of applying for a property, paying the (often quite horrendous and non refundable) referencing fee only to be caught out by a previous landlord mentioning that you were on LHA? How many Agents and their Landlords are going to continue considering letting the property to you if you've lied (or at least 'omitted information') in your application?

As I said before your most sensible options are to save up some rent in advance that you could put down, so your account would be 'in credit' and offer to have your mum guarantee you, and most importantly, BE HONEST.

If a Landlord is shoddy with his referencing, how shoddy is he going to be with repairs, gas safety inspections etc. It cuts both ways.

RecoveringAlcoholic

It has been known for some housing benefit claiments to spend their LHA on things other than rent.


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clutton_2

""It has been known for some housing benefit claiments to spend their LHA on things other than rent.""

like renting fields and feeding horses... even though they have children......