No DSS?

Chardonnay

Hi all,

I am going to be looking for somewhere to rent soon and was just looking for an answer to a question.

I went self-employed 8 months ago, and am gradually building up my earnings, but still receive some housing benefit to subsidise my rent. My question is, when landlords specify "no DSS" is that for tenants that get full housing benefit, and aren't working, or would I fall into that category? I'm hoping the answer is going to be "no"

Thanks in advance for any help.

Chardonnay

Oops, put this in the wrong place. Please could someone move this to the buying/renting forum?

Thanks.

Chardonnay

I've now posted this in the correct place.

wileycat

I think the only way to say is to ask directly.

Some landlords just want an easy life so they don't have to deal with DSS at all.

geordie_joe

wileycat wrote: »

I think the only way to say is to ask directly.

Some landlords just want an easy life so they don't have to deal with DSS at all.

Landlords don't deal with the DSS. It's the council that pays housing benefit not the DSS. And the landlord doesn't deal with them either, unless the council think the rent is far too high.

I don't know how it works in other areas, but I'm told my local council used to pay the rent directly to the landlord. But last year, or maybe two years ago, they stopped and started paying all housing benefit directly to the tenant.

Don't know why they did it, but I remember a lot of people complaining that it would not be worth taking unemployed people as tenants any more, as there was no guarantee the tenant would pass the housing benefit on to them.

Chardonnay

Thanks for both of your replies. Yes, LHA is paid directly to tenants now, though I am still on the old scheme at the moment (been living in my present house for over 3 years), where the money is paid to my landlord.

I'll have to see what happens.

Thanks again.

chrisaj

I'm self employed and get small hb. I think it depends on the landlords, as they think dss is dole wallers., but if you explain your situation it shouldn't make any difference. JSA seems to give landlords the heeby jeebys. The other thing I was told that it depends on the landlord's mortgage lenders, as some of them stipulate no dss. It can feel as if your're discriminated against.