Can you get housing benefits paid to you directly rather than to the landlord?

MiaWallace_2

Can you get housing benefits paid to you directly rather than to the landlord?

I'm planning to move to Exeter in September to go to University. My problem is that because I have a child, I won't be able to move into halls.

I'm trying to find somewhere to rent privately but so many letting agents/landlords refuse to accept housing benefits.

I have enough saved for a deposit and a months rent in advance. So if I could get the housing benefits paid to me directly, I wouldn't even need to mention I'm claiming benefits (I will only be receiving housing benefits and child tax credits because of my student loan).

I know it's slightly dishonest and if I was asked directly I would admit that I was entitled to housing benefits. But if I can find somewhere without them needing to know, then I'm more than willing to go along with it.

I'm normally a very honest person but I'm getting desperate. I really don't want to miss out on my Uni place but that's what will happen if I can't find somewhere to live.

lynzpower

YES YOU CAN GET HB paid to you directly.

the issue MAY be that the tenancy should be pre-determined, and this will inevitably mean the LL will be involved. Without the pre-determinatiion youve always got the issue of if HB will pay it in its entirety.

HaVE YOU SPOKEN with the accomodation office at the uni, i cant see youll be thge first nor the last to have this issue- they may well have a list of private landlords who would prefer to rent thier place to a parent rather than a troupe of drunkards ( like I was!)

MiaWallace_2

Thanks for your reply. I've contacted the accommodation office and they only had details of two landlords who were willing to rent out a whole property rather than just rooms. I've contacted both landlords and they won't accept housing benefits.

I just don't understand why landlords are so reluctant to accept dss. Not everyone on benefits are in mountains of debt or got ASBOs

deary65

MiaWallace wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. I've contacted the accommodation office and they only had details of two landlords who were willing to rent out a whole property rather than just rooms. I've contacted both landlords and they won't accept housing benefits.

I just don't understand why landlords are so reluctant to accept dss. Not everyone on benefits are in mountains of debt or got ASBOs

It mostly down to tax.Most landlords prefer cash payments if they can get it.
The benefit agency not only go through your details but also the landlords, so they don't want to know DSS tenants

Voyager2002

Hello and welcome: I work for Exeter university.

First question: are you sure that you will receive HB when you are a full-time student? If not, the question is irrelevant.

In any case, I advise you simply to tell landlords that you are or will be a student. Really, it is none of their business how you finance your studies.

In many cases, landlords do not accept people on benefit because their insurance says that they must not. Agents just follow the landlords on this.

The bad news is that the Uni accommodation office is really not geared up to serve students in your situation; most of the letting agents in Exeter charge extortionate fees; and rents here are very high. Property is scarce, so landlords and their agents can get away witl virtually anything.

Therefore, I suggest that you start looking early and pursue all possible options. The local paper has a property supplement on Thursdays: this is mainly places for sale but includes some rental properties. Some useful adverts appear on their website (ThisIsExeter). The best would be if you could contact a landlord directly and cut out agents and their charges. Otherwise, some of my colleagues have had good experiences (as tenants) with an agent called Exeter Properties.

Good luck: I fear that you will need it.

thesaint

deary65 wrote: »

It mostly down to tax.Most landlords prefer cash payments if they can get it.
The benefit agency not only go through your details but also the landlords, so they don't want to know DSS tenants

What a load of rubbish! :mad:

The reason that most landlords do not want to take on housing benefit claimants is because the council take forever to deal with the claim, and like it or not, tenants on housing benefits are often sub-prime(apologies for this generalisation).

As for 'DSS tenants', there is no such thing.

Vickicb

Why don't you place a wanted advert in the accommodation section of the local paper? I'm sure many landlords would far prefer a slightly older student who is also a parent so therefore perceived to be more responsible. I expect you'd be more stable for them as well, whereas students move around all the time.

deary65

"In many cases, landlords do not accept people on benefit because their insurance says that they must not. Agents just follow the landlords on this."

If this were the case it could amount to discrimination.Do you have a copy of such an agreement.

deary65

thesaint wrote: »

What a load of rubbish! :mad:

The reason that most landlords do not want to take on housing benefit claimants is because the council take forever to deal with the claim, and like it or not, tenants on housing benefits are often sub-prime(apologies for this generalisation).

As for 'DSS tenants', there is no such thing.

I have been dealing with the benefit agency for over twenty years so i'm familiar with the primary and secondary legislation which govern it's administration.

They are under a statutory duty to make a payment within two weeks subject to them having all the information which they need to access the claim.

I use DSS in the general sense that it has become known, ie people on benefits!

Gorgeous_George

My insurer would not insure me if HB payments were not made direct to me. The insurance was more expensive because my tenant is claiming HB.

I believe that another reason that HB claimants may be less desirable is that they are more likeley to be home all day therefore increasing wear and tear.

I have had one HB tenant and he was the model gentleman. Left the house every bit as clean as when he moved in. Previous tenant worked and left the place a total mess.

Treat people as you would wish to be treated.



GG

deary65

As i say you need to read the agreement. Just of the top of my head, housing benefit payment is in the legal ownership of the tenant, therefore the insurance company are in effect asking you to deprive a person of that right. interesting!!