What's DSS?

dazanteney4

I'm looking at rented houses for my friend and we can't work out what DSS is? I think it's benefit payments but surely if this is the case then people who get housing benefit could pay the landlord and he would never know??

Two points there lol

HappyMJ

DSS is the Department of Social Security....it doesn't exist any more.

What they mean is they don't want a tenant who relies on payments from housing benefit to pay the rent.

If you have a job or a pension high enough to pay the rent without housing benefit then you can ignore the term "NO DSS" even if you go on later and claim housing benefits.

Werdnal

As above, DSS doesn't existing any more, but many LLs are wary of benefit tenants.

Just because the council pay the tenant a benefit to help cover their rent, doesn't necessarily mean they pass it on to their Landlord. One of my tenants obviously misunderstood, as he used his housing benefit to pay the LL of his local pub, rather than me!!!!!

The benefit system has also undergone a major review, and many tenants have had their allowances cut so the benefit does not cover the whole rent, and they have to make up the difference.

Some BTL mortgages even specify that tenants must not be on benefits!

dazanteney4

Werdnal wrote: »

As above, DSS doesn't existing any more, but many LLs are wary of benefit tenants.

Some BTL mortgages even specify that tenants must not be on benefits!

Sounds like a stupid thing to say but can a landlord discriminate against people that claim housing benefit? I personally wouldn't want my tenant to use housing benefit if I was landlord but I thought a landlord couldn't have a choice??

Yorkie1

dazanteney4 wrote: »

Sounds like a stupid thing to say but can a landlord discriminate against people that claim housing benefit? I personally wouldn't want my tenant to use housing benefit if I was landlord but I thought a landlord couldn't have a choice??

Being a benefit recipient does not of itself bring you within one of the protected groups so it is not illegal discrimination to make a decision re. who to rent to on that basis.

Werdnal

Ultimately the LL does not have to give a reason why they do not accept you as a tenant. If they suspect you are on benefits (credit checks and references may give the game away) they can refuse to take you as a tenant without needing an excuse. Similarly, if the tenant's status changes during the tenancy, resulting a them requiring benefits and LL finds out, they can issue notice at the earliest oppotunity.

If the reason for refusing a tenancy is the LL's suspicion that tenant does not have ability to pay the rent, then this is not discrimination.

Guest101

dazanteney4 wrote: »

Sounds like a stupid thing to say but can a landlord discriminate against people that claim housing benefit? I personally wouldn't want my tenant to use housing benefit if I was landlord but I thought a landlord couldn't have a choice??

The LL can rent and not rent to whomever he chooses, it's entirely upto him. this country isnt quite that PC yet!

Sorry edit: unless the reason for discrimination is under the 'protected group status', but you'd never know!

dazanteney4

Thanks! You learn something new everyday! Lol

Werdnal

I am presuming by your question that renting is new to you?

Might help you and your friend to have a read through the sticky thread "A tenant's guide to renting" at the top of the forum. Takes a bit of wading through, but may highlight a few more things you were not aware of.

For instance, is your friend aware that they will have to pay application and referencing fees, 1st month's rent and deposit upfront? Could be in excess of £1K before they even get the keys!

dazanteney4

Werdnal wrote: »

I am presuming by your question that renting is new to you?

Might help you and your friend to have a read through the sticky thread "A tenant's guide to renting" at the top of the forum. Takes a bit of wading through, but may highlight a few more things you were not aware of.

For instance, is your friend aware that they will have to pay application and referencing fees, 1st month's rent and deposit upfront? Could be in excess of £1K before they even get the keys!

I'm very new to renting... Never rented and don't plan to! My friend knows a lot more so it was more a personal question.

gazter

dazanteney4 wrote: »

Sounds like a stupid thing to say but can a landlord discriminate against people that claim housing benefit? I personally wouldn't want my tenant to use housing benefit if I was landlord but I thought a landlord couldn't have a choice??

Only foolish people dont discriminate.