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

Debt_Free_Chick

All sorts of people can be in receipt of HB - or any other benefit, for that matter - for all sorts of reasons.

I guess it depends on what you mean by "no DSS" - do you exclude on those claiming HB? What about income support? Or tax credits? Where do you draw the line?

Given that benefits are intended to take a claimant's income close to the level needed to support themselves, does it matter whether the income is earned or not?

What about those with no earned income (from a job or self-employment) and no benefits - let's say they have substantial capital sufficient to cover 12, 24 or more months rent. How will you view/vet them?

I think it's preferable to set your criteria without reference to the source of potential tenants' income - but let their income, however derived, determine their suitability. For example, some agents require that at least one tenant has income to cover 2.5 times the rent - which I understand is a common yardstick for affordability. If they have income of that level - or capital to cover the rent for the term of the tenancy agreement - does the source matter? (I guess in some cases, yes it does ..... but let's take a general approach first and then look at any "odd cases").

The distinction between a tenant claiming benefits and the situation where the Council can seek reimbursement from the LL is an important one ... but is that a matter for agreement with the Council? If that box is ticked, isn't a suitable tenant a suitable tenant, even if assisted by benefits?

Happy to be shot down in flames (heaven knows, it's happened before )

iolanthe07

Don't get paid directly - guaranteed to be paid - not guaranteed you can keep it - if the claimant is claiming fraudulantly the council then claim it back from you and your recourse is via the courts pursuing the fraudulant tenant....

This happened to me - the council clawed back rent I had been paid direct. The tenant was working while claiming HB and I was supposed to take him to court, but he did a runner. I lost my house over this and nearly went bankrupt.

suzannewysiwyg

"What are the rules on self catering accommodation? - Could I let it out as a holiday home?? (albeit in sunny Brum!)"

~~~~> I am close to the Belfry!

Debt_Free_Chick

suzannewysiwyg wrote: »

"What are the rules on self catering accommodation? - Could I let it out as a holiday home?? (albeit in sunny Brum!)"

~~~~> I am close to the Belfry!

And ...... ? :rotfl: So I guess Golfers and some 40-somethings looking to rekindle their "yoof" in Bel Air could be potential clients? Only kidding - I'm Brummie born & bred, although now living in the South East.

If you intend to let the place only as a holiday home, you may need planning permission (change of use) as this may constitute business use - so you'll need to check with the Planning Department at your local council.

You will have a raft of health & safety issues to deal with too e.g. the statutory check of any gas appliances etc. Where will you be living? If not locally, who will deal with cleaning & vetting the property on changeover day? Who will deal with the bookings? Insurance? What will the mortgage lender require?

Lots to think of ... and research.

suzannewysiwyg

Hi guys, a lot of nice responses thank you :-)

I am not meaning to sound like a snob when it comes to DSS, - just, every where I have read and everyone I have spoken to off MSE seems to be against DSS.

I have been on 'benefit' myself, and have relied on housing benefit, however, I do know that on two seperate ocassions it has taken nearly a year before I have been paid a penny towards my rent. (Fortunately, I was living in council accommodation, and just provided photocopies of my claim forms when we got to court!) However, I can't financially afford to provide housing for someone for this amount of time (or anything like this!)

Also with regards to metres should I get my own taken out and re-fit with token/£ metres?

dolce_vita

suzannewysiwyg wrote: »

Also with regards to metres should I get my own taken out and re-fit with token/£ metres?

Yes. Definitely.

redmel1621

I aym on H/B and tax credits, (ME OH and 2 KIDS) I do work part time but we had a hard time finding somewhere to rent. I think it is awful that people discriminate against benefits claiments.... We have been private rented for 3 1/2 years now and have never missed a rent payment 99.9 of which were on time too..... My brother on the other hand is working (he earns at least twice my income and there is only the two of them) but his spendaholic girlfriend continually uses there rent money for materialistic rubbish and thinks nothing of missing payments.....even though they have been told to leave if it continues.....

I really believe that people on benefits are no more likely to not pay than people who are working.... Also the way I look at it is If I was having to pay my whole rent out of wages I had slogged away all month for I would truly begrudge it but as this is "not my money" I couldn't give two hoots who I give it to (with regards to renting) so I am far more likely to pay the rent.

I think it is far more important to meet the tenants prior to letting to them and if you feel happy with them go ahead...

Good luck whatever you decide.
Melx

annie123

Do remember that lots of working people are in receipt of HB.

My son is an assistant manager at a shop, but as any retail worker will tell you, the pay is c**p. A small amount of Housing benefit is paid to him and he pays the rent to his landlord. He has been in his flat for 3 years and has never been late with a payment.

He was able to offer good referances from his job and bank, and as he listened to us struggle to get out of debt when he was a teenager has no debts of his own:j .............................except for all the money he borrowed from me as a teenager and never paid back!!! but still says he will:rotfl:

auntymabel

My daughter is having trouble finding somewhere to rent for herself and children as most landlords don`t accept HB. She does work but needs to claim some HB. Would it help if I offered to pay some months rent directly to the landlord in advance? How much would be likely to make the landlord feel more positve about letting to her?

seven-day-weekend

My husband rented his late mother's bungalow to tenants on HB for several years; there was no trouble whatsoever.

However, I have heard of cases where the rent took a year to set up and during this time the landlord had no rent. Many people can't afford this. There is still a mortgage and other overheads to be paid, or it may be the landlord's main source of income. Not all landlords are rich property developers.

I don't think it's always discriination that stops people taking tenants on benefits, it's just that landlords can't always afford to wait months for their payment.