Why no DSS/LHA ?

madeupname1

outofmoney wrote: »

The No DSS rule should be banned and LL should give everyone the benefit of the doubt. OK, they can then decide to go with working but to rule people out without giving a chance is bad.

Lovely sentiment, but would you really give a stranger the benefit of the doubt in one of your most valuable assets if it could end up costing you thousands or 10s of thousands of pounds?? I agree that probably the vast majority of HB claimants pay their rent on time and keep the property in a reasonable condition but you can't necessarily tell that just be looking at or even talking to someone. And it isn't just a question of individual prejudice. As others have mentioned, many mortgage and insurance companies don't allow lettings to benefit claimants.

mchale

NodKelly wrote: »

This may be slightly off topic but is there any resource for people claiming benefits to find private landlords willing to accept them?

Don't know anything about these:

http://www.dsscribs.com/

http://www.housingbenefitlandlords.co.uk/

outofmoney

Real1314 says .... HB tenants have lower incomes and therefore will find it harder to cover their rent.

Whilst I agree with that statement, when you look at the majority of posts, especially in the Benefits section, it would seem most people are under the impression that those not working and on benefits are much better off!

madeupname1 wrote: »

Lovely sentiment, but would you really give a stranger the benefit of the doubt in one of your most valuable assets if it could end up costing you thousands or 10s of thousands of pounds?? I agree that probably the vast majority of HB claimants pay their rent on time and keep the property in a reasonable condition but you can't necessarily tell that just be looking at or even talking to someone. And it isn't just a question of individual prejudice. As others have mentioned, many mortgage and insurance companies don't allow lettings to benefit claimants.

Mortgage and Insurance aside, the risk you mention can happen regardless of whether the person is working or not. Just because someone works does not mean they will be the perfect tenant. So, whoever you rent to, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

outofmoney

Just wondering what all those saying avoid DSS expect us to do regarding housing?

The ideal answer would be social housing but because the Government does not discriminate against working people being allowed to apply for and live in social housing it means that there is no hope of getting anything.

Maybe the government should kick all the working people out and off their lists and just let those on DSS apply.

theartfullodger

In some civilised countries the standard code of practice for landlords precludes discrimination against those on benefits..

2.3
The landlord should not discriminate against a tenant or prospective tenant because of their
entitlement to Housing or other Benefit and should not advertise vacant properties in a manner
that could be described as discriminatory.

see..
http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/hmcs_017006.pdf

Re finding property from landlords or agents who rent sometimes the local council will have a list of agents who may have properties from landlords who will thus rent, or also possibly from CaB or the local Shelter office. Problem with these lists is two-fold...
a) There are landlords who prey of vulnerable, HB/LHA tenants providing substandard properties at daft prices who fail to handle repair issues.. but there may be nowhere else to go as a tenant...
b) If a particular agent/landlord has, say, only one available property today which is a 3-acre 7-bed mansion with horse paddocks & swimming pool then probably not today on offer to HB/LHA tenants , but next week they may have 7 2-bed flats they are desperate to let.. in other words, it depends when & what is on offer, so you need to keep going to see/'phone agents..

Of course these days most tenants are in receipt of benefit - one/some of Child Benefit, Council tax benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax credit, 'bus pass, winter fuel allowance, state pension, maternity allowance etc etc etc etc.. But then many persons thus enjoying payments from taxpayers do not think they are "on benefits" and most landlords neither know, ask or care..

Cheers!