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Receiving Housing Benefit and have Greedy Landlord

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Comments

  • AnotherJoe
    AnotherJoe Posts: 19,622 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    JasonBat wrote: »
    It seems most of the properties in my area are more expensive except for studio flats..

    So why why do you think your landlord is "greedy" ?
  • JasonBat wrote: »
    What choice do I have? I am not in a position to negotiate it would seem.

    Pretend that you don't understand English very well :laugh:
  • JasonBat
    JasonBat Posts: 1,761 Forumite
    What this means is that you need to apply to go on the Housing List. Then you will be given a priority band and if your council holds a bidding list, you will be given a bidding number. You can then bid on properties that become available. However your priority band will depend on your housing need and its likely with the information given, you will be of no priority.

    I am in emergency accommodation already and am only C band (although my council is a bit unusual in how they apply priority banding).

    To get a higher priority, you need to be homeless (have been evicted for something that's not your 'fault' ie not rent arrears.., LL wants to sell etc you will be ok). And/or you need to prove you are a vulnerable household i.e. have mental or physical health needs - some councils further specify that these needs apply if they are not met by your current housing.

    Have a look at your council's housing website, their housing policies are usually outlined on there.

    Be aware that Social Housing is in such short supply, many housing departments 'Gatekeep' i.e. will tell you you won't qualify for housing when in fact you can. Its hard to distinguish between what's really true and what's gatekeeping.

    But what has already been said on here is true.., if you were evicted, and not for rent arrears, your priority would be higher and access to housing easier. A lot of councils do put single people in B&B, which means you will have to store or get rid of furniture.., some councils put people in hostels - and they aren't necessarily going to be the best accommodation. If you have disabilities, you might be able to argue successfully that this type of accommodation will not meet your needs (I did this, successfully). But you aren't even close to this as you aren't being evicted.

    It does sound to me as if your rent is not uncommonly high for your area. I am sorry but it might be best if you go on the debt part of this forum, see if you can make any changes to your budget so you can save a new deposit. Or see if you are getting all the benefits you should be (try the CAB). You could also see the CAB about whether your housing needs are being met.

    When I had a look around various areas in the country for private rental properties, I found most were more than LHA in those areas. Some a lot more (where I live its £200 more, I live in Kent, just outside London).

    Thanks.

    I am certainly not holding my breath in terms of social housing.

    I may have to agree the rent increase or at least a nominal amount and then apply for Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). I have been granted this in the past.

    I suffer from a disability (severe depression) and think that the stress of a potential eviction is not going to help matters.
  • JasonBat
    JasonBat Posts: 1,761 Forumite
    AnotherJoe wrote: »
    So why why do you think your landlord is "greedy" ?

    I am not sure that he is and I am not sure that he is not. :undecided

    I have just cited other properties in the area (as posted on this thread) that are a lot cheaper to rent and include the water bill (which is a significant saving).
  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,062 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you do find another cheaper property then your local council may be able to offer you a deposit through the Deposit Bond scheme and help with moving costs from Discretionary Housing Payment.

    To be honest, if you can find private accommodation then you will feel far less stressed than waiting for the landlord to evict you (not that this is a certainty so at least try and negotiate with landlord if you would prefer to stay there) and then applying as homeless to the council.
  • AnotherJoe
    AnotherJoe Posts: 19,622 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    HappyMJ wrote: »
    You won't be living on the street and it bumps you up the list quite significantly. If you're housed already then you will be waiting 20 years for a social housing property if not more.


    So first you said that the property was cheaper than most other places. Now you are saying it's more expensive,??? It can't be both.

    if other places are cheaper, you should move.
  • JasonBat
    JasonBat Posts: 1,761 Forumite
    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    If you do find another cheaper property then your local council may be able to offer you a deposit through the Deposit Bond scheme and help with moving costs from Discretionary Housing Payment.

    To be honest, if you can find private accommodation then you will feel far less stressed than waiting for the landlord to evict you (not that this is a certainty so at least try and negotiate with landlord if you would prefer to stay there) and then applying as homeless to the council.

    Thanks, I will explore that.
  • JasonBat
    JasonBat Posts: 1,761 Forumite
    AnotherJoe wrote: »
    So first you said that the property was cheaper than most other places. Now you are saying it's more expensive,??? It can't be both.

    if other places are cheaper, you should move.

    I am not sure what gives a property its value in terms of rent. The property market leaves me a little perplexed.

    People on this thread have suggested I should be paying more.
  • theartfullodger
    theartfullodger Posts: 15,140 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 1 March 2016 at 7:14PM
    Re
    The Green Party would you believe.

    Thanks.
    Good for you Jason!
  • JasonBat
    JasonBat Posts: 1,761 Forumite
    Seems this property was bought for around £120k based on other properties in the same building.

    I have been looking though my lengthy tenancy agreement and I can't find out how much notice I need to provide (which is a worry)? I understand this is usually 3 months. The tenancy comes to an end on 11 June 2016. If I give notice on 11 May 2016 does it still need to be 3 months - that would seem wrong?
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