We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
At Last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mchale
Posts: 1,886 Forumite
LHA TENANTS WHO ‘PLAY THE SYSTEM’ WILL BE INVESTIGATED
Welfare Minister Lord Freud has pledged to look at the problems caused by housing benefit tenants who refuse to pay their landlords and ‘play the system’ to live rent free.
Quizzed on the Government’s welfare reforms during the British Property Federation’s residential conference, Lord Freud promised to consider landlords’ concerns over issues around tenant debt. Figures reveal that £276m of rent went unpaid in the private rented sector in December alone.
Lord Freud suggested that “extra protection” could be offered to landlords, who at present find it takes more than three months to evict non-paying housing benefit tenants, with no chance of ever reclaiming the money.
He said: “What I don’t like seeing is people messing you around and you losing 12 weeks’ rent every time someone does a bunk.”
Lord Freud told delegates: “I am determined we have a constructive relationship going forward, over the long term, in the interests of both parties,” he said.
He confirmed that landlords prepared to “meet us half way” by lowering their rents could expect a return to direct payment of Local Housing Allowance.
Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Federation, said: “The limited offer of a return to direct payment is welcome, but many landlords remain to be convinced that they should stay in the housing benefit market when they could easily take paying tenants, particularly in areas of high demand. Taxpayers deserve better than hundreds of millions of lost money each year that should be being paid out on housing.”
New research launched at the conference reveals that almost nine in ten landlords (88.3%) will not cut rents to housing claimants.
It also found that almost half (43.4%) will stop renting their properties to housing benefit tenants.
Alan Ward, RLA chairman, said he was not surprised by the research: “It is clear that many LHA landlords are still intending to reduce their properties in this sector, about which the RLA has warned for over a year. The fundamental problem of direct payment must be resolved quickly, without a rent reduction.
“However, if the minister considers it politically expedient, this research shows that it should be limited to a maximum of 5% to minimise the impact in a sector where margins are particularly under pressure.”
Welfare Minister Lord Freud has pledged to look at the problems caused by housing benefit tenants who refuse to pay their landlords and ‘play the system’ to live rent free.
Quizzed on the Government’s welfare reforms during the British Property Federation’s residential conference, Lord Freud promised to consider landlords’ concerns over issues around tenant debt. Figures reveal that £276m of rent went unpaid in the private rented sector in December alone.
Lord Freud suggested that “extra protection” could be offered to landlords, who at present find it takes more than three months to evict non-paying housing benefit tenants, with no chance of ever reclaiming the money.
He said: “What I don’t like seeing is people messing you around and you losing 12 weeks’ rent every time someone does a bunk.”
Lord Freud told delegates: “I am determined we have a constructive relationship going forward, over the long term, in the interests of both parties,” he said.
He confirmed that landlords prepared to “meet us half way” by lowering their rents could expect a return to direct payment of Local Housing Allowance.
Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Federation, said: “The limited offer of a return to direct payment is welcome, but many landlords remain to be convinced that they should stay in the housing benefit market when they could easily take paying tenants, particularly in areas of high demand. Taxpayers deserve better than hundreds of millions of lost money each year that should be being paid out on housing.”
New research launched at the conference reveals that almost nine in ten landlords (88.3%) will not cut rents to housing claimants.
It also found that almost half (43.4%) will stop renting their properties to housing benefit tenants.
Alan Ward, RLA chairman, said he was not surprised by the research: “It is clear that many LHA landlords are still intending to reduce their properties in this sector, about which the RLA has warned for over a year. The fundamental problem of direct payment must be resolved quickly, without a rent reduction.
“However, if the minister considers it politically expedient, this research shows that it should be limited to a maximum of 5% to minimise the impact in a sector where margins are particularly under pressure.”
ANURADHA KOIRALA ??? go on throw it in google.
0
Comments
-
You're looking at this in a very narrow way. Those who don't pay their LHA to the landlord are doing ALL of us a favour by re-directing our tax back into the local economy, boosting employment and creating local wealth. Landlords, on the other hand, will tend to use the money for re-investment (ie servicing another B2L mortgage and shoveling the taxpayers money directly into the bankers pockets). I know which I would prefer!!!0
-
And again the government moves to protect the BTL scum which alot of people despise. Not surprising seen as half the cabinet are BTL scum.
The fact he is talking about extra protection for landlords is DISGUSTING, he belongs in the 1800's, what a complete scum he is. Makes me so angryI am not a financial expert, and the post above is merely my opinion.:j0 -
And when shall we see a landlord tax to protect the tenants that are getting ripped off because they pay their rent, and landlords are not repairing /maintaining properties?0
-
shellieholly wrote: »And when shall we see a landlord tax to protect the tenants that are getting ripped off because they pay their rent, and landlords are not repairing /maintaining properties?
When the cabinet is full of people who rent...which isnt the case for any of the parties. i.e. NEVER. Makes me sick, landlord scum always get protected by the government whilst the young rental tenants are just inconveniences that must be endured to make their Boe and government aided capital and income gains.
disgustingI am not a financial expert, and the post above is merely my opinion.:j0 -
shellieholly wrote: »And when shall we see a landlord tax to protect the tenants that are getting ripped off because they pay their rent, and landlords are not repairing /maintaining properties?
There are already legal mechanisms that can be employed by tenants, including the witholding of rent (if done correctly). And, of course, the tenant has the ultimate sanction available as they can move with minimal notice. Bad LLs are penalised via void costs.0 -
Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »You're looking at this in a very narrow way. Those who don't pay their LHA to the landlord are doing ALL of us a favour by re-directing our tax back into the local economy, boosting employment and creating local wealth. Landlords, on the other hand, will tend to use the money for re-investment (ie servicing another B2L mortgage and shoveling the taxpayers money directly into the bankers pockets). I know which I would prefer!!!
I suppose shoplifters do the same then.
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:ANURADHA KOIRALA ??? go on throw it in google.0 -
And again the government moves to protect the BTL scum which alot of people despise. Not surprising seen as half the cabinet are BTL scum.
The fact he is talking about extra protection for landlords is DISGUSTING, he belongs in the 1800's, what a complete scum he is. Makes me so angry
Protecting them..... by reducing their income??? Some protection that is!!!
"He confirmed that landlords prepared to “meet us half way” by lowering their rents could expect a return to direct payment of Local Housing Allowance."
LHA tenants always liked direct payments, as did LL's. And we ALL like cheaper rents so I don't see a huge problem.0 -
-
Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »Not quite as it isn't a direct cash transaction. Bank robbers, however........
So you condone the theft of nearly £900,000 per day of taxpayers money in 1 month alone. :eek:ANURADHA KOIRALA ??? go on throw it in google.0 -
So you condone the theft of nearly £900,000 per day of taxpayers money in 1 month alone. :eek:
It's not theft. Housing Benefit/LHA is the claimants money to spend in whatever way they see fit. Should they choose to keep the local pub affloat instead of a faceless LL, that is their choice and they are free to make it. There are, of course, implications with regard to their housing should they make that choice, but it isn't theft from the taxpayer. It's just redirecting the taxpayers money in a more creative direction.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.4K Life & Family
- 258.8K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards