A Question for Landlords

LocoLoco

RAS wrote: »

You can get additional LHA to cover 2 properties for one month or so; do check that out as it may enable you to grab what comes up.

Have you check your LHA rate locally?

Thanks, RAS, I'll look into that, we did manage to get it once before but I think they've changed the rules since (it was quite a long time ago) so I will check that out.


I've checked the local rates, it's not a bad one for that area (some places hardly anything comes up that falls within the LHA band) but there seem to be quite a few that would be within the right price range.


I do usually try and go for something that's less than the current rate in case they lower it; we can manage to pay a bit extra if necessary but it's a bit of a squeeze so I will try and get somewhere with a bit of leeway.


Thanks for the advice, I will check that out later

LocoLoco

straas wrote: »

Whereabouts are you based? I imagine that would make a difference.

Thanks, Straas, we're currently near Portsmouth in Hampshire and will be moving to Winchester (also in Hampshire). I should probably say near Winchester as Winchester itself is quite pricey but the surrounding area is a bit cheaper and there seem to be good bus links so it should be reasonably easy to get into town.


My son has special needs and there's a college over that way that I think will be brilliant for him. I have found it very difficult over the years to find an area that works for both of us. Support for disabilities varies from area to area and of course different places are just different (some are nice to live in and others aren't!).


The college seems to offer everything he needs and, no offence to anyone who lives in Portsmouth, but I don't particularly like it, whilst I think Winchester's lovely! The transport links seem good and I'd like to go back to work once my boy's settled so living nearby his college would make that easier for me.


Anyway, sorry, that's turned into a bit of a life story! But basically we'll be staying in the same county, just moving to a different part of it

straas

I'm not overly familiar with that part of the country.

How is it for university students? The fee hike has had a knock-on effect leaving lots of landlords with empty properties in student areas, I imagine many would be ameanable to people in receipt of housing benefits.

LocoLoco

Ah there's a University and a big agricultural college so presumably plenty of student housing! Hadn't thought of that so will look into it, thank you

ognum

LocoLoco wrote: »

Thanks, Straas, we're currently near Portsmouth in Hampshire and will be moving to Winchester (also in Hampshire). I should probably say near Winchester as Winchester itself is quite pricey but the surrounding area is a bit cheaper and there seem to be good bus links so it should be reasonably easy to get into town.


My son has special needs and there's a college over that way that I think will be brilliant for him. I have found it very difficult over the years to find an area that works for both of us. Support for disabilities varies from area to area and of course different places are just different (some are nice to live in and others aren't!).


The college seems to offer everything he needs and, no offence to anyone who lives in Portsmouth, but I don't particularly like it, whilst I think Winchester's lovely! The transport links seem good and I'd like to go back to work once my boy's settled so living nearby his college would make that easier for me.


Anyway, sorry, that's turned into a bit of a life story! But basically we'll be staying in the same county, just moving to a different part of it

I know Winchester well and you are right it is one of the most expensive areas of Hampshire!

With small terraced houses costing in excess of £400k renting will not be cheap. There are a couple of big council estates that you may find cheaper housing and maybe the outskirts of Southampton May be cheaper.

What is the HB rate for a two bedroom property? I let a two bedroom flat in Southampton for £750 a month.

Good luck!

LocoLoco

ognum wrote: »

I know Winchester well and you are right it is one of the most expensive areas of Hampshire!

With small terraced houses costing in excess of £400k renting will not be cheap. There are a couple of big council estates that you may find cheaper housing and maybe the outskirts of Southampton May be cheaper.

What is the HB rate for a two bedroom property? I let a two bedroom flat in Southampton for £750 a month.

Good luck!

Thanks, Ognum, the nice areas are always pricey!


I last checked the LHA rate for Winchester before April and it was £790 a month then, it may have changed with the new financial year and now be lower.


Looking online, there do seem to be a reasonable number of properties around the £750 mark within a five to ten mile radius of Winchester, which is a reasonable travelling distance for us, assuming the bus links are good (which they appear to be in most of the areas local to Winchester as long as they're quite built up, obviously more rural areas won't be).


I'd be happy to take a one bed and sleep on the sofa bed in the lounge but a lot of people aren't happy to rent in that sort of situation so whether that would be possible or not would remain to be seen!


At the minute it's mostly been online research, I'm hoping to actually start getting over there and hitting the pavement in the near future. If we can't find anywhere within five to ten miles I'll start looking a bit further out. Southampton's only about twelve miles from Winchester, I think?


My plans aren't set in stone, it's my boy's situation that's most important so I'll start with best case scenario and keep extending until what I'd like and what I can get match up!


Thanks very much to everyone for the input, it's very helpful to have other people's suggestions and views so I'll be putting it to good use in the fairly near future