no dss

tali

some lettings state "no dss" -is this the norm? and why no dss ? is it because the property may not be looked after ? or tenants might obtain bad credit at the address , or is it payment problems /beauracracy from DSS office?
thx

Generali

IMO it's a combination - however I think a bit contributor is the fact that the beaurocracy (tried to spell it 8 times, have given it up for lost now, so if it's right it's a coincidence - too late in the evening) means that it takes months to get the money through nd then it goes straight to the tenant who needs to pass it on, and you have no idea when it's actually come through either due to 'Data Protection innit' so can be fobbed off for a couple more months by which time the money could be gone (not that this always happens, but the worst LLs and tenants always give everyone else a terrible name)

poppy10_2

DSS will trash the house, no respect

knithappens

poppy10 wrote: »

DSS will trash the house, no respect

not always. I was a tennant on DSS after having my son and before i got my teaching Job, like with anyone it depends on the person.

oldMcDonald

poppy10 wrote: »

DSS will trash the house, no respect

Yup, that seems like a fair comment to make. I'm in the wonderful position of being a full time carer and so unable to afford to buy my own house. I rely on renting and until very recently this has always been through private landlords (now in a HA house).

I have looked after every house well, kept them in as good (if not better, if allowed to decorate) condition as they were when I took out the tenancy, and been a good, quiet and considerate neighbour.

But what do I know, I was claiming Housing Benefit and so have no respect for anyone.

Just because *some* may, it doesn't mean that *all* will. FWIW, the last house I rented privately had been trashed by the 'profesional' couple who had rented it beforehand.

thesaint

Personally it's mainly the amount of paperwork that's needed.

I do consider people on housing benefit, but the council pay in arrears, whilst I can get paid in advance with a private tenant.
I always sign the housing benefit form and tick the box to get my cheque directly from the council, and I can phone the council and be informed about the claim. The tenant can immediately change the payment to go to them once in place, and withdraw my authority to make enquiries, without my agreement, but it doesn't happen often.

The direct payments will be stopping, because the government want everyone to be empowered by them receiving their housing benefit themselves and be in charge of their payments. When this happens expect lots more evictions clogging up the courts, and even more landlords refusing to take on people on housing benefit.

A good tenant on housing benefit is the best tenant you can get, because the payments are guaranteed. But, it's a gamble.

oldMcDonald

The Saint, can I just thank you for being one of the few landlords who doesn't tar all with the same brush? It is hard to put into words the desperation you feel when you need to find a home and all you get is 'no DSS'. Even going in armed with many references from previous landlords - most landlords just don't want to know.

seven-day-weekend

I would consider DSS if the bureaucracy didn't take so long and if the rent could come straight to the landlord.

We don't have a rented property now, but when my husband had one, the elderly couple who rented it were DSS tenants and once it was sorted out everything came smoothly.

But then again, this was a property my husband had inherited, he didn't have to pay a mortgage, If he'd had to, he wouldn't be afford to wait months for the rent, and if the tenant had the rent themselves, as others have said, there would always be a risk that you wouldn't get it. So, in this situation he'd have reluctantly have had to have said no to DSS.

lynzpower

Incidentally, many local authorties in london have a private lettings officer who work to "chat up" landlords and put them on a turbo scheme so that their HB payments are processed v quickly on the proviso that they let thier properties to the council on a contracted basis for 3 years plus.

oldMcDonald

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

as others have said, there would always be a risk that you wouldn't get it.

But you can't be sure that the working tennant will pay you either. Not everyone on DSS is a theiving git.

*edit to add:

Sorry, I don't mean to start an argument - it's just that the post by poppy10 really peed me off, baisically having the attitude that everyone who claims DSS is some lowlife scum who has no respect for anything or anyone. I'm just feeling a bit cross and defensive

thesaint

oldMcDonald wrote: »

The Saint, can I just thank you for being one of the few landlords who doesn't tar all with the same brush? It is hard to put into words the desperation you feel when you need to find a home and all you get is 'no DSS'. Even going in armed with many references from previous landlords - most landlords just don't want to know.

I have worked for housing associations and the local authority, so it has given me a lot of knowledge with regards to the advantages and disadvantages of housing benefit.

I can't reallly blame other landlords because it is difficult to administer, housing benefit claimants often don't have a deposit, and can be months before you receive a payment.

I have a tenant who has their rent paid directly from social services, this is another area that brings in a good income as they find it difficult to place their clients, so don't mess around and try their best to keep good landlords.