No landlords accepting HB locally

MHartley

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

It may seem a daft question, but how does a landlord know that a tenant is in receipt of housing benefit? Council's don't write to landlords - they only ask to see a copy of the lease.

It would appear that if you don't tell them you are in receipt of HB, then the landlord won't know. Unless of course, you sit on the front door step wearing a vest and drinking beer all day every day. Then they might just make an educated guess!

Before accepting a tenant most landords require credit checks, employer's references, etc.
If a tenant's circumstances changed during the tenancy, then I don't think there would be any way of the landlord knowing.

ETA: Disregard, princessdon posted while I was typing.

lighting_up_the_chalice

princessdon wrote: »

A change of circs is different as you know them by then. My tenant will soon be retiring and entitled to HB under Pension Credit. I have no issues at all with this but I wouldn't take HB tenants initially without references and a guarantor.

I was just pointing out that we are all at the mercy of a change to our circumstances, regardless of how our housing costs are funded.

Dogger69

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

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?

Their contingency is a reliable tenant - you manage your exposure to risk.

If the boiler packs up I would expect them to have insurance to cover such an eventuality.

custardy

willber wrote: »

Yes, that is the way it is unfortunately.
The OP's post has made me think. Going back to the late 60's/early 70's most if not all of my friends (ages 20/23) only rented for say a year before they bought their first property. I was 20 when I bought my first - £2950 for a new build detached 3 bed bungalow.
I never seem to hear in those days of so many people renting and having problems if on benefits. Yes of course there were the council estates, but the number of private lets was very low - most purchased their home(s).

what was your annual household income at the time?

Takeaway_Addict

oliveoil99 wrote: »

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

Aww don't let the jealousy eat you up there...

Takeaway_Addict

planetred wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses guys.

When I said I had been late with payments one or two times, I meant literally one or two times. One of those occasions was owing to a bank holiday and the other simply a mistake by the council, who rectified it within the working week.

Some people get aid on different days of the calendar month and I have friends and family who have often had to pay after the agreed rent due date because of this. I would compare well to one of these people.

In any case, my LL has not had any problems with my tenancy in terms of rent arrears, late payments or social complaints etc. His property is in almost as good condition as when I first moved in.

But perhaps I'm in the minority? I'm no sure why a HB tenant would disrupt a relationship with a very decent LL as if nothing else, a good reference is worth its weight in gold when looking for another property. Or at least I though!

I just wish I could approach a LL directly and have him review my situation on merit, rather than it being a binary yes/no.

Look in your papers and word of mouth for landlords, when I rented I went direct to the guy and not via an agent.

Confuseddot

For whats its worth I would try the council again, if you have health problems and care needs then surely they have to give you a bit of support ....

just my thoughts

PippaGirl_2

I know someone who owns a small group of estate agents that deals with lettings in addition to sales. He has a policy of not accepting DSS claimants for his lettings, however if people go in and discuss with him their needs and in conversation knows they are claimants if he gets a 'feel' about a potential tenant he does recommend to the property owners that they accept the tenant. So his no DSS rule is flexible so it is well worth going in to discuss and talk as rules are sometimes flexible. The reason the rule is there, is that it gives them the right to refuse tenants who they do not get that 'feel' about. I have gained a tenancy through an agent that has a no DSS rule while I was in receipt of HB for as well so I know that in can be more flexible than it would first appear.

Growurown

Hi planetred,

Rights and wrongs of LL's taking HB tenants aside I would advise going to see Shelter. They have always been very good at helping people in my area facing eviction.

I would also talk to your local council. If you have health needs then they have a duty to find you somewhere to stay even if it is B&B or a hostel. You would then be top of the list for social/council housing which is allocated on need. It may take a while to get something though.

Another option is renting a room in a house. With the introduction of the bedroom tax there may be people looking for a lodger to help with housing costs.

None of these options is ideal I know but maybe worth thinking about.

oliveoil99

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Aww don't let the jealousy eat you up there...

Not jealously it's called compassion it was not irony but sincere empathy - mind readers not wanted.