Need help with renting.

pdg12

Hello. This may be a bit long and confusing but here goes.

I am currently classed as homeless (sofa surfing between family and friends at moment) and have registered with the local council's housing department. That is not going as fast i as i would like but i understand it takes time. So i am looking to private rent but have a few problems with how i describe myself to the landlords or lettings agent.

I am 30 years old currently employed but i have been off sick with a spinal injury for the last 7 months. My company sick pay went to half pay after 28 weeks and i have received my ssp1 form and sent it to the ESA office. Question is how do i describe myself to the lettings agent? As i would have to claim housing benefit/LHA to help pay the rent.

Quite a lot of landlords do not accept housing benefits around here, so i am a bit stuck in where to go from here as i can't really continue as i am. Having a spinal injury and sleeping where i can is not really helping me recover.


Thank you for reading.

Wywth

pdg12 wrote: »

Hello. This may be a bit long and confusing but here goes.

I am currently classed as homeless (sofa surfing between family and friends at moment) and have registered with the local council's housing department. That is not going as fast i as i would like but i understand it takes time. So i am looking to private rent but have a few problems with how i describe myself to the landlords or lettings agent.

I am 30 years old currently employed but i have been off sick with a spinal injury for the last 7 months. My company sick pay went to half pay after 28 weeks and i have received my ssp1 form and sent it to the ESA office. Question is how do i describe myself to the lettings agent? As i would have to claim housing benefit/LHA to help pay the rent.

Quite a lot of landlords do not accept housing benefits around here, so i am a bit stuck in where to go from here as i can't really continue as i am. Having a spinal injury and sleeping where i can is not really helping me recover.


Thank you for reading.

Just a thought, but why not explain your situation truthfully and in full to the lettings agent?

The lettings agent may be able to help you if they know your situation in full from the outset, but what really winds them up is finding out hidden secrets when they think they have found a suitable tenant for their customers property.

pdg12

I fully intend to be truthful. What prompted me to make this post is because i went to register with a few housing associations and the form asks if i am employed or not and another asks if i am on benefits (JSA/ESA). Confused as to what i should put down as both apply to me but can only enter one or the other.

Example of what i mean: A certain housing association won't allow me to submit the form as it can't accept both employed and jsa/esa boxes being ticked.

Another one is i applied for a house i liked and contacted the letting agent and said even though i am employed i am claiming ESA due to being ill for over 28 weeks. I got a reply stating that they can not proceed due to them being uncertain of my situation

If i was to find a private landlord then it would be easier to explain my situation. These forms (online) don't give me anywhere to explain. Only way i guess is to do it through post. I have no intentions of lying to anyone. I am just confused by the forms and what i am actually classed as.