Renting help! (DSS)

BenF

I'm running out of ideas now! I've emailed private landlords & estate agents. Neither have any interest what so ever in our situation!

Any more advice? Please!

theartfullodger

BenF wrote: »

Hi,

I'm trying to find somewhere within the Berkshire area that would accept DSS/HB.

My girlfriend and I are in a very difficult situation, where we have no choice but to move out (due to recent family & home issues). ........

If you can't find anywhere to move into then you would be advised to stay put. Are you living with friends/relatives or is your landlord living in the same building?

Have you asked your local CaB if they know of agents or landlords that take HB??

BenF

theartfullodger wrote: »

If you can't find anywhere to move into then you would be advised to stay put. Are you living with friends/relatives or is your landlord living in the same building?

Have you asked your local CaB if they know of agents or landlords that take HB??

We're currently living with relatives, but family/housing issues have left us with very little choice but to find somewhere. We're in an awful situation basically.

I've been in contact with a local citizens advice but they just said the same thing as the Council, that we need to keep contacting various private landlords and estate agents until we find someone who accepts HB!

Once I realised we were eligible for help with renting, I thought finding somewhere would be easy. How wrong I was!

theartfullodger

If you get chucked out (given notice, have to leave..) you can "present as homeless" to the council: But be aware...

However as (presumably & I hope) you are both healthy you will not be "in priority need" (eg no children, not pregnant, not vulnerable) so council does not have to house you. There are other people sleeping out in Berkshire because of this. See,,
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/homelessness/help_from_the_council_when_homeless

Sorry. This country has got very hard & insensitive... Good luck

atolaas

BenF wrote: »

We're currently living with relatives, but family/housing issues have left us with very little choice but to find somewhere. We're in an awful situation basically.

I've been in contact with a local citizens advice but they just said the same thing as the Council, that we need to keep contacting various private landlords and estate agents until we find someone who accepts HB!

Once I realised we were eligible for help with renting, I thought finding somewhere would be easy. How wrong I was!

What you need is someone to stand as guarantor for you. Most estate agents will accept DSS if they have a guarantor.

BenF

theartfullodger wrote: »

If you get chucked out (given notice, have to leave..) you can "present as homeless" to the council: But be aware...

However as (presumably & I hope) you are both healthy you will not be "in priority need" (eg no children, not pregnant, not vulnerable) so council does not have to house you. There are other people sleeping out in Berkshire because of this. See,,


Sorry. This country has got very hard & insensitive... Good luck

We've been told the waiting list would be 6 years for us! Luckily we're not quite at that stage... as of yet.

BenF

atolaas wrote: »

What you need is someone to stand as guarantor for you. Most estate agents will accept DSS if they have a guarantor.

I've expressed to estate agents about having a guarantor, but they still haven't seemed interested at all.

What would be the best way to approach an estate agent and explain about having a guarantor?

In the email, I've explained about my girlfriend & mines personal situation. Followed on by asking whether they accept DSS/HB, and ending with how we would set up a guarantor etc.

atolaas

BenF wrote: »

I've expressed to estate agents about having a guarantor, but they still haven't seemed interested at all.

What would be the best way to approach an estate agent and explain about having a guarantor?

In the email, I've explained about my girlfriend & mines personal situation. Followed on by asking whether they accept DSS/HB, and ending with how we would set up a guarantor etc.

You need to have someone either a relative or friend who is willing to pay your rent in the event of you not being able to. My mother has done this for me in the recent past. They will need to be willing to go through a credit check and produce bank statements as proof of income. I hope this helps.

theartfullodger

BenF wrote: »

We've been told the waiting list would be 6 years for us! Luckily we're not quite at that stage... as of yet.

That (6 years)is for the housing register:

My comments were about "presenting as homeless". Two entirely different routes to being housed by council.

observations_from_a_hill

BenF, post on benefits board to find out your entitlement to HB. They will need to know whether GF has children and/or disability, also your respective incomes. I'm no expert, but I think GF (if no children/disability) is expected to take a student loan to cover her living costs. Tell them as well your respective ages.