NO DSS: is it technically illegal

BigAunty

There is an interesting article here by someone who outlines the conflict between 'No DSS/HB' and disability discrimination.

http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/are-landlords-breaking-the-law-when-they-demand-no-dss/


AFAIK, landlords in the past were forced to pay back HB their tenants were overpaid or received fraudulently but only if they received it directly (most private tenants now receive their HB directly) and that has now changed but I'm not 100% sure on this.

With 7 out of 10 new HB claims now apparently being raised by those in employment, and millions of households receiving working or child tax credits, some landlords may struggle to find tenants that don't receive any benefits whatsoever.

RAS

I think what LL really mean is : "You need to be in employment" and have a goof credit rating.

Not what EA's write but that is essentially what they mean.

rpc

They would rent to a disabled person who could afford the rent without benefits.

Therefore there is no disability discrimination.

LADYXXMACBETH

Well like I say I was surprised that we would get HB since my husband earns £28-33k a year. Plenty of money to be able (according to the LA) to afford a £995 house something which is not financially viable for us budget wise but is if we got HB.
Maybe it would be better for LLs today to put something other than NO DSS

Dunroamin

LADYXXMACBETH wrote: »

Well like I say I was surprised that we would get HB since my husband earns £28-33k a year. Plenty of money to be able (according to the LA) to afford a £995 house something which is not financially viable for us budget wise but is if we got HB.
Maybe it would be better for LLs today to put something other than NO DSS

Particularly as the DSS hasn't existed for years!

Kynthia

As long as you have the right amount of salary earnings to afford the property and pass a credit check, no landlord or letting agent will care (or even need to know) that you get a bit of money from the government. They are business people who want tenants that can afford the rent, look after the property, that they can sue should they ever need to, and are less likely to refuse to leave should the landlord ever give notice.

sandsni

The benefits issue and the disability issue really need to be viewed separately. As stated above, the "no DSS" or it's up-to-date equivalent, can be due to restrictions on insurance policies and mortgages rather than any prejudice on the part of the LL. So if someone wanted to sue all the insurance companies and mortgage lenders for discrimination against those perceived as higher risk I suppose they could try.


Regarding "disability discrimination", though, if your child's disability meant that a property needed significant alterations to accommodate, would you expect every LL to make such alterations on the grounds that not to would be discrimination? Should a LL owning a single flat or house be obliged to include all necessary equipment and modifications to ensure any and all abilities can be catered for in their let property?