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renting while on benefits

louloubelle76
Posts: 105 Forumite
Bit of a rant (sorry)
Been looking for somewhere for my baby and I to live for the past month but no one wants to know when I say I will be on housing benefit.
Im a single mum in late 30's still living at home (atmosphere isnt nice here) and I just want to move out of the area and give my daughter a nice life, my local council have said they will help with the deposit but thats all they have done for me, they havent given me no list of landlords that take dss just seems like yes we will help with deposit now get on with it.
Ive tryed advertising on gumtree but to no avail. Just feel that people on benefits are all tared with the same brush, ive worked since i was 17 and plan on going back to work when my daughter goes to school, just seems that no one wants to help.
Any advice?
Been looking for somewhere for my baby and I to live for the past month but no one wants to know when I say I will be on housing benefit.
Im a single mum in late 30's still living at home (atmosphere isnt nice here) and I just want to move out of the area and give my daughter a nice life, my local council have said they will help with the deposit but thats all they have done for me, they havent given me no list of landlords that take dss just seems like yes we will help with deposit now get on with it.
Ive tryed advertising on gumtree but to no avail. Just feel that people on benefits are all tared with the same brush, ive worked since i was 17 and plan on going back to work when my daughter goes to school, just seems that no one wants to help.
Any advice?
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Comments
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I had the same problem.., LA's just wouldn't look at me unless I had a salary.
In the end I went through a private landlord. You can find them on Gumtree, advertising properties, but be warned, unless you are very lucky, they are unlikely to be 'good' landlords. I am sure there are exceptions but be careful about signing a proper (legal) tenancy agreement, and make sure u get an inventory (noting down ANY damage to the property) when u start and end the tenancy.
Councils will tell you there are plenty of landlords who take HA tenants.., but there aren't.
Personally, I'd push for council housing if I was you even if it means waiting years. I wouldn't be in the position I am in now if I'd had any other choice.0 -
council said I cant sign anything without them knowing anyway.
Just seems so hard while your on benefits, ive done a new add now on gumtree so fingers crossed, might call my council tomorrow to see if they do have any numbers for landlords but I wont hold my breath lol0 -
As a flat owner, My DH has a Dsss single tennant whos rent is topped up by his father, as he only gets £280 month towards a I bed. He is happy to have him as a tennant.
But, the overall concern is that 1) landlord must be assured that the tennant can afford the full rent, 2) he has concerns that on a 1- 2 bed flat , the Dss tennant will find the electric cost too expensive in a leccy heated property, and for that reason will move out after 6 months.0 -
oh I see why some properties are only for 6 months, thanks for that.0
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louloubelle76 wrote: »Bit of a rant (sorry)
Been looking for somewhere for my baby and I to live for the past month but no one wants to know when I say I will be on housing benefit.
Im a single mum in late 30's still living at home (atmosphere isnt nice here) and I just want to move out of the area and give my daughter a nice life, my local council have said they will help with the deposit but thats all they have done for me, they havent given me no list of landlords that take dss just seems like yes we will help with deposit now get on with it.
Ive tryed advertising on gumtree but to no avail. Just feel that people on benefits are all tared with the same brush, ive worked since i was 17 and plan on going back to work when my daughter goes to school, just seems that no one wants to help.
Any advice?
They're going to give you money for a deposit, is that not enough help? I'd like a deposit for a car- if they gave me that I'm sure that I could find one for myself.0 -
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louloubelle76 wrote: »no i will have to pay it back
That's still rather generous, don't you think? You can't expect them to loan you the money AND search for a suitable property.
Have you checked Rightmove? A lot of the rental properties on their will specifically state whether or not they will accept DSS.0 -
louloubelle - I wish you luck with finding somewhere suitable.
You may want to see if there is a local LL association - they may be able to help with relevant LL contact info.0 -
will babys father help"Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many"0
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We are in the same position. I do think it would be more fair if anyone could go for properties and then the LL can decide whether they wish to take the person/family on as each DSS case will be individual.
I do realise though that sometimes it is down to the lender but even this should be updated in this day and age as not everyone is on benefits because they refuse to work.0
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