Britain's Benefit Tenants Ch4

Jason74

jesskel wrote: »

Sorry but they may be less fortunate on the job/wealth front but I really don't see why that is an excuse to live the way some of them do and destroy things other people have worked so hard to earn.
I was taught to work for what I want and respect other people's belongings. I know some people on housing benefits for one reason or another and they are in private rents and they appreciate and look after the property. But some of the people on this programme seem to think it's a given that they can damage people's property and not pay rent (even when they are being paid housing benefits....fraud or theft surely?)
They councils don't stand for it (damage council property and fail to pay rent and they can ban you from living in council properties) so why should people who have worked hard for what they have for someone to come and destroy it?
Bet if it was your property it would be a different matter!

The bit in bold is the key thing here. Most people on benefits don't behave in teh way the people in this programme do. As you say, you know some yourself and your own experience supports this statement. The problem with this kind of TV, is that it takes the worst of a group of people who are in the main as decent as responsible as anyone else, and presents this extreme as the norm for teh group they happen to be part of.

That in turn creates a false public perception around people on benefits, which then impacts policy. Which then impacts the lives of real people with real needs.

Annie1960

suziqqq wrote: »

I think its a great idea that there are agents who specialise in rentals for those on housing benefit as they are hard to come by and the local authorities don't have enough houses.
However not all people on benefits live like that, cleanliness costs nothing

True. Clearly they found extreme examples for the TV.

jesskel

Any tv programme/article etc that are on topics like this will always find the worse examples possible, its how they sell, it's their aim to get people talking and possible controversy of it all. As agreed not everyone on benefits live like this, and I completely support those who genuinely need the benefits (my brother is disabled and so I know many disabled people who rely solely on them). I think what really takes mick is people who are lucky enough to receive help and have a decent roof over their head and they treat it the way they do. If they want to live in a complete dump then that's their decision but when your living in someone else's property it's just disrespectful. These people are few and far between and I don't tar everyone with he same brush but some people aren't that understanding unfortunately.

dominoman

Annie1960 wrote: »

Astonishing!

Did you see the woman who claimed she had left the place 'like a palace', but when they went in with the cameras it was absolutely filty. I've never seen anything like it.

:eek::eek::eek:

That's what happens when there are no consequences to behaviour.

She could have spent a weekend scrubbing and fixing everything like you or I would if we were renting - but why bother when she loses nothing by acting like a selfish freeloading cow

The_Deep

Talc1234 wrote: »

Are you all having fun sneering at people less fortunate than yourselves?

So, you think that it is acceptable for people, whose rent we are paying, to trash the property of others, thus causing more expense to taxpayers? Perhaps it is that you yourself are a member of such a community with zero regard for the rights of others.

The_Deep

What surprises me was that there are landlords who are prepared to rent properties to known problem tenants, how do they get insurance?

Annie1960

The_Deep wrote: »

What surprises me was that there are landlords who are prepared to rent properties to known problem tenants, how do they get insurance?

They have bought very cheap properties in problem neighbourhoods, so they would be unlikely to let them to anyone else.

I have no idea whether or not they have insurance.

adouglasmhor

Talc1234 wrote: »

Are you all having fun sneering at people less fortunate than yourselves by their own laziness and attitude?

Yes thank you, can you point out some more for me?

jamie11

Talc1234 wrote: »

And yes I feel sorry for the BTL landlords who suffer the damage, almost as sorry for those who have no chance in buying their own home because all the starter homes are being snatched up by BTL landlords

Err! Do you mean all the hardworking people that put their spare money to work and so provide for their old age that way. BTL is not a get rich quick scheme, it's a slowish sensible method to build a decent income for later life.

mrginge

As a male, white, middle class, daily mail reading imbecile who did not watch this program I am clearly livid about these scumbags.
I can only suggest that these people should be sent back to whichever country they came from.