No landlords accepting HB locally

planetred

hi all,

My tenancy at my current bedsit is coming to an end and the LL has stated that he wants the flat back at the end of the agreement as apparently his sister is going to be moving in there. How true that is, I'm not sure, but it's his call.

I have care needs and for health reasons I have to be (i.e. if I'm not, I will suffer and suffer bad) close to my family, who are also my carers and look after me.

I have looked and looked and looked some more, but there are NO agents near me with HB lets on their books.

My family would even be willing to pay a substantial amount of rent up front, but apparently it's a legal issue and a landlord is either permitted to let to HB tenants OR not. I.e. looking at a tenant and reviewing him/her on a case-by-case basis doesn't happen.

I've already been told that the council have no flats available and I would not be a priority case and so would be housed in a hostel or BnB indefinitely.

So what are my options? There are places locally that are within the LHA limits, but just don't accept HB tenants (for reasons I can probably gather).

I have fantastic references from previous employers and my current landlord and can pay a substantial amount of rent upfront, including the deposit of course.

With that in mind is there any way around it? Dare I say by concealing my HB status?

I really don't know what else to do and face eviction in the next month. And if I don't leave on time, my LL may reconsider that glowing reference and then I'll be screwed every which way and homeless.

I appreciate any help.

Regards,

Mike

withabix

This is unfortunately because some idiot decided to 'empower' HB recipients by paying the HB to them rather than direct to the Landlord.

This means that Landlords are unlikely to see the rent regularly/at all in many cases.

Because of this, if I was a Landlord, I wouldn't accept HB tenants either, due to the risk of not seeing the rent and then the cost of evicting the non-paying tenant.

That's the way it is.

lighting_up_the_chalice

It may help to know where you live and what your specific health needs are?

emsywoo123

withabix wrote: »

This is unfortunately because some idiot decided to 'empower' HB recipients by paying the HB to them rather than direct to the Landlord.

This means that Landlords are unlikely to see the rent regularly/at all in many cases.

Because of this, if I was a Landlord, I wouldn't accept HB tenants either, due to the risk of not seeing the rent and then the cost of evicting the non-paying tenant.

That's the way it is.

How rude.

You imply that people in receipt of LHA are "in many cases" unlikely to pay rent?

planetred

I have never missed or been late (apart from one or two occasions where the council have delayed payment) and my landlord is more than happy to provide a glowing reference.

But the trouble is that apparently estate agents won't even bother asking their landlords and shut you down at the door .

PasturesNew

The Council might be able to help you with a list of landlords who accept people on benefits - I think there's a phrase for it, which might be "list of social landlords". Also, look on Gumtree, ask your existing landlord if he knows other landlords and read local shop windows/supermarket boards.

Landlords who use agents will, 99% of the time, be of the type who don't/can't/won't accept any LHA tenants.

Dogger69

planetred wrote: »

I have never missed or been late (apart from one or two occasions where the council have delayed payment) and my landlord is more than happy to provide a glowing reference.

But the trouble is that apparently estate agents won't even bother asking their landlords and shut you down at the door .

For a landlord that needs your rent to pay their mortgage, one or two occasions is one or two occasions too many. It is not your responsibility to pay their mortgage, but many landlords have tight margins and a late payment from you will have far greater consequences for them.

MHartley

As a landlord I can't let to HB recipients. Both my mortgage provider and insurance company forbid it.

It might be worth asking in the House Buying, Renting and Selling section.

lemontart

You state that you need to be close to your family who act as carers for you, would it be possible to move back with them until a suitable flat/bedsit comes up. and perhaps save a bit towards rent in advance to make you a better prospect for potential landlords now the way the benefits have changed.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Dogger69 wrote: »

For a landlord that needs your rent to pay their mortgage, one or two occasions is one or two occasions too many. It is not your responsibility to pay their mortgage, but many landlords have tight margins and a late payment from you will have far greater consequences for them.

If they haven't a contingency to cover unexpected costs such as voids or late payments, perhaps they are in the wrong business. What will they do when the boiler packs up a week before the rent is due?

oliveoil99

Is there a fund to help poor LL I feel the need to donate!!