To Accept Dss Or Not To Accept Dss? - That Is The Question!

PasturesNew

Is it true that if a tenant claims HB when they weren't entitled to it, the HB can be clawed back from the landlord?

If so, could this even be the case if the rent was paid direct to the landlord and they hadn't been paying the rent with it?

I just read this somewhere in the last 2 weeks, so it is unsubstantiated - and I've just chucked it in here for those that know to answer.

rjm2k1

PasturesNew wrote: »

Is it true that if a tenant claims HB when they weren't entitled to it, the HB can be clawed back from the landlord?

If so, could this even be the case if the rent was paid direct to the landlord and they hadn't been paying the rent with it?

I just read this somewhere in the last 2 weeks, so it is unsubstantiated - and I've just chucked it in here for those that know to answer.

Yes it's true if you get paid directly by the council, they have a clause in their contracts which say they can claw back any payments they need to! You then have to take the tennent to court (something the council doesn't want to do hence they go after the easy target of the landlord). If the tennent gets paid their HB and they pay you from it, the council can't clawback as they have no contract with you.

Vickicb

A friend, who is 19, pregnant, and with no family support has had a hell of a time finding somewhere private to rent. She has an existing housing benefit claim for the young people's hostel she's been living in and support from the hostel in finding somewhere, she also has a deposit (small inheritance) and a larger inheritance due in 2 years (executor of will happy to guarantee this amount against any damage/rent arrears. However, she has had no luck in finding somewhere to rent and the council bedsit option was in the same block of flats as they housed her violent boyfriend last week (although they cannot house her until 3 weeks before baby due). She really wanted private rental and, although she has maybe put herself in this position (single and pregnant) she's trying to be sensible and all private rental options are within her price range but not open to her due to benefits. Luckily, she was yesterday offered a housing association house, is over there painting and making it a home for herself and her baby and has already assessed her monthly bills and prepared herself a budget. She's being really sensible about the whole thing IMO.

So, from the other side of the fence I would say please don't dismiss housing benefit claimants altogether, judge each on it's merits as there are some good ones out there!

Gorgeous_George

Guaranteeing recovery of missed rent payments and damage is quite negative. I accept HB claimaints but this one would worry me.

Getting the rent in two years' time would be pointless as I'd have evicted long before then. I have bills to pay and missing the rent has an impact on me personally. The additional worry of a violent boyfriend (ex or not) would also be of concern.

She sounds like a high risk and, I'm afraid, I'd run a mile.

My best teanants have been HB claimants. My worst both worked.



GG

Jonbvn

If your property is mortgaged, doesn't the lender specify whether you can take HB tenants or not. I remember seeing some BTL mortgages, which specifically stated this.

lynzpower

the other option is to speak to your local social services team.

We used to be desperate for private rental places for older people (over 65s) who were HB claimants who's previous P. rental places had been sold/ rent put up to beyond HB levels etc.

WeirdoMagnet

lynzpower wrote: »

thats not spam, singing pig is a very well known forum for landlords legal advice.

LOL! - I think rjm2k1 meant to post www.singingpig.co.uk, rather than than the .com, which links to The Singing Pig Food Company!

suzannewysiwyg

lol is that a joke?! I was a little taken aback when I read such a helpful response to see the spam link - then to see the spam tin (Which I assume contains a little bit of pig!) Thought I was having a monty python type nightmare!

Thanks for clearing it up though - I will look at the other site after my bacon sarnie ;-)

Penny-Pincher!!

TBH, whether the tenants receive HB or not you will have a tenancy agreement and if the terms are not kept, then you are within your rights to follow legal actions to remove them from your property.

This can happen whether DSS or not. What happens if someone looses their job whilst renting your home and have to claim HB? Will you kick them out?

If I am totally honest, I know more people on benefits that would pay their rent on time more than those that dont. You will nomally find that people on benefits live more within their means.

HTH

PP
xx

rjm2k1

Yes, it should be .co.uk not .com , been a while since I looked on there!