Housing benefit rant!

lfckerry

my tenant moved in 4 weeks ago,sent all her paperwork off and now they say they have had a new system and it is taking up to 7 weeks to process claims.
its a joke, not the tenants fault i know but i still have the mortgage to pay each month :mad:
just a moan really lol

Brb

I don't know entirely how it works but you can get an interim payment after 14 days.

BitterAndTwisted

Any landlord who doesn't have a contingency fund for voids or non-payment by the tenant very probably shouldn't be in the business.

lfckerry

I never said i didnt have the funds so dont presume.
i just think its daft that it can take so long for the claim to go through

BitterAndTwisted

Then get onto the housing department and see if you can get an interim payment sorted out. Be the squeaky wheel

PasturesNew

Never mind that, you still get to keep the property. Poor tenant is sitting there panicking they'll be evicted if something doesn't happen soon.

lfckerry

im not that harsh,ive told her not to worry as i know its not her fault.
but then people wonder why landlords dont house tenants on housing.
Anyway thanks for any constructive advice

BitterAndTwisted

Look at it this way: a responsible tenant in receipt of LHA who then pays all of the monies to the landlord when they fall due is almost guaranteed to be in the property long-term, thereby enabling the landlord to avoid the costs of void periods and the time, energy and expense of finding new tenants on possibly a six-monthly cycle. Win/win

lfckerry

yes im hoping that one the initial claim is sorted then everything will run smoothly (fingers crossed)
i feel sorry for her having to worry about this,especially around christmas but have done my best to reassure her. and hope she can live happily in the house for the forseeable future.

tbs624

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Look at it this way: a responsible tenant in receipt of LHA who then pays all of the monies to the landlord when they fall due is almost guaranteed to be in the property long-term, thereby enabling the landlord to avoid the costs of void periods and the time, energy and expense of finding new tenants on possibly a six-monthly cycle. Win/win

That's a point always worth raising - many LLs run very successful letting businesses on the back of benefit claiming tenancies provided that they fully understand how the system works.


However, OP is an amateur LL - see from a previous thread, talking about mortgagor and obtaining CTL :

lfckerry wrote: »

I havnt bothered with a credit check as rent is being paid by housing. will just send them name and previous address.like you say,if they need more they will get in touch. think they'll be happy has long as they get their fee lol

Regardless of whether LHA is footing the bill , you should always still "vet" your potential Ts. If the T already has other debts to clear there is more than the usual risk that she may be tempted to use her LHA payments towards paying those rather than her rent.

OP - have you checked the mortgagor's small print on having Ts who are LHA claimants?

puddy

they have a duty to pay housing benefit or whatever within 14 days of all necessary proof and information being received. if they do not do this, your tenant must complain. that is what people are talking about above as an interrim payment, its not interrim they have a duty to do this within these timescales, make them do it