Where should I live?

apppa

I am receiving income-based JSA.
I have no real place to live, I am jumping between friends floors, sofas.
I was in the same situation three years ago and when I went to the council, they said that because I have no children they would not help me, I would have to find a place on my own.

I have tried to find a small cheap room to rent but have no luck, when I tell them I am unemployed they wont rent out to me. Can I be bad and lie, tell them I have a job and then apply for HB anyway? Does the landlord need to know that I am applying?

How can I find a place to rent? I have no savings so I need to apply for Housing benefits, I do have money so that I can pay first months rent and a small deposit on a small room, I want to be positive and think I will get a job soon but it is hard when you have to find somewhere to sleep for the night also.

Thanks

DomRavioli

The council cannot refuse to put you on your list unless you are an immigrant without indefinate leave to remain, or you are a threat to the community. If you are homeless, a council MUST have a place for you to go, even on a temporary basis. I find it strange that you are unable to find accomodation, yet have internet access, however I don't judge people based on that.

You really need to talk to either welfare rights or the CAB. They will be able to put you in touch with maybe a social housing landlord, or assist you with financial help to get a roof over your head.

dseventy

apppa wrote: »

I am receiving income-based JSA.
I have no real place to live, I am jumping between friends floors, sofas.
I was in the same situation three years ago and when I went to the council, they said that because I have no children they would not help me, I would have to find a place on my own.

I have tried to find a small cheap room to rent but have no luck, when I tell them I am unemployed they wont rent out to me. Can I be bad and lie, tell them I have a job and then apply for HB anyway? Does the landlord need to know that I am applying?

How can I find a place to rent? I have no savings so I need to apply for Housing benefits, I do have money so that I can pay first months rent and a small deposit on a small room, I want to be positive and think I will get a job soon but it is hard when you have to find somewhere to sleep for the night also.

Thanks

You can't lie (well you can but you will be out when they find out you are in the dwelling all day,as you have no job, plus the checks they make before renting to you will find you out).

The LL needs to know as often their buildings insurance is invalid if they rent to those that rely on others to pay their rent (others = tax payers).

Have you explained your situation to the council? Sometimes they have lists of LLs that will rent to those on benefits?

D70

Gingerbiscuit_2

Hi
Sorry to hear about your situation, some people can be very anti the unemployed which is stupid because when you get housing benefit the rent will still be paid.

If I was you I would few it as a temporary mislead meant and dress up smart and try and blag your way in. Normally for a flat they might ask to see pay or bank statements but for a room cant really see the need. Especially if you have friends who can provide a reference.

As long as you are busy looking for a job its not like you are going to be home everyday is it? Im sure someone will give you a break, like I say as long as you look tidy and seem respectful thats all people want.

Gingerbiscuit_2

dseventy wrote: »

You can't lie (well you can but you will be out when they find out you are in the dwelling all day,as you have no job, plus the checks they make before renting to you will find you out).

The LL needs to know as often their buildings insurance is invalid if they rent to those that rely on others to pay their rent (others = tax payers).

Have you explained your situation to the council? Sometimes they have lists of LLs that will rent to those on benefits?

D70

If someone has house hold insurance as a landlord surely it dosnt matter who pays the rent?? If my mum is paying my rent does this mean I cant rent a room?
Ive rented plenty of rooms in the past I have never been asked for pay slips, for flats yes but not for a tiny single room in someones house.

Wee_Willy_Harris

DomRavioli wrote: »

The council cannot refuse to put you on your list unless you are an immigrant without indefinate leave to remain, or you are a threat to the community.

Unless you are in a defined priority group, they can refuse to put you on the waiting list. Very few do, but they have that right.

DomRavioli wrote: »

If you are homeless, a council MUST have a place for you to go, even on a temporary basis.

Again, only if you fall into one of the priority homeless groups. If you don't, the council are only obliged to provide you with "advice and assistance".

dseventy

Gingerbiscuit wrote: »

If someone has house hold insurance as a landlord surely it dosnt matter who pays the rent?? If my mum is paying my rent does this mean I cant rent a room?
Ive rented plenty of rooms in the past I have never been asked for pay slips, for flats yes but not for a tiny single room in someones house.

If they own the house themselves its not an issue.

If they are a BTL or the property is morgaged, their insurance often prohibits the rent to someone on benefits (ie can't pay the rent themselves and rely on others = greater risk = greater premuim).

D70

outofmoney

I don't think it affects the insurance.
However when you apply for housing benefit you will need to give the Landlords name and address and they will need to sign paperwork so you won't be able to try and fool the landlord anyway.

I can sympathise fully as we were house hunting a few years back. Both OH and I are carers so live on IS and can get full HB. However as far as many LL are concerned we are not working and live on benefits, they don't see beyond that. This, in their eyes, makes as automatically bad people who are a major risk!

My advice is try CAB and shelter and also check the private rental ads in papers as often they are more reasonable.

Luckily we did find a decent LL (Through local paper)who was happy to rent to us, hopefully you will too.

BigAunty

The Shelter website has the best and clearest information on their obligations for providing accommodation and advice.
Shelter will advise you of your rights.

Councils do have a reputation of not meeting their statutory obligations and especially where the single homeless are concerned but certainly, other groups have greater attention/higher priority.

Can you offer a guarantor? Do you have excellent previous landlord references and can you offer them to any prospective landlord that you talk to?

It's not worth your lying about having a job. Many landlords will want to take up references, including employer references, and do a credit check, perhaps ask for payslips or bank statements.

Many local councils run deposit guarantee schemes. If yours does, then you are in a position to offer the landlord two months rent in advance.

BigAunty

outofmoney wrote: »

...
However when you apply for housing benefit you will need to give the Landlords name and address and they will need to sign paperwork so you won't be able to try and fool the landlord anyway.

.

In the switch to LHA, payment is now made directly to the tenant and therefore, there should be no contact with the landlord.

Only tenants who are considered 'vulnerable' or who have a history of arrears are likely to be able to switch their payments directly to the landlord.

The decision to pay LHA directly to the tenant by default is one reason why even less landlords these days want to rent their properties to benefit claimants - it's even higher risk for them than under HB.

dseventy

outofmoney wrote: »

I don't think it affects the insurance..

Well it does.

outofmoney wrote: »

. However as far as many LL are concerned we are not working and live on benefits, they don't see beyond that. This, in their eyes, makes as automatically bad people who are a major risk!
..

I don't get the mindset here. Look at it from a LLs point of view.

You can't pay your rent.
You ask someone else to pay it for you. (the tax-payer)
That someone else subjects you to rules (eligiability criteria, changes in policy etc)

Why can't you see that this is high risk stuff?

And in to this that the LHA is paid direct to the claiment (who has a low income, money issues etc) not the LL!

Disaster. Insurance companies know risk, and hence they charge it!

outofmoney wrote: »

My advice is try CAB and shelter and also check the private rental ads in papers as often they are more reasonable.

Luckily we did find a decent LL (Through local paper)who was happy to rent to us, hopefully you will too.

Agree with this part.

D70