renting whilst not working, including "no dss"

dada44

wondering if ppl have had any experience trying to rent a room whilst not working. I find as soon as you tell ppl you aren't working, regardless of whether you are clean, tidy, whatever other habits would make co habitation easier, ppl don't want to take it any further,even if you have savings.

also - why do many ads say 'no dss', when they are essentially guaranteeing their rent that way ? because of the reputation that their property will not be taken care of, or because now dss goes to the tenant, as opposed to landlord directly, so there is the added uncertainty..? wondering what ppl think

poppasmurf_bewdley

If you are a viewer of 'Can't Pay, We'll Take it Away', then you should know that some tenants get part of their rent paid by Housing Benefit, or to put it into it's correct form Housing Allowance. It seldom covers the whole cost and the tenant has to make up the balance. This can be up to, or more, than 50% of the total.

When the tenant can't cover this extra rent, that's when the trouble starts.

If you were renting out a house to someone you've never met, would you allow them to do so without seeing actual proof that they have an income to pay the rent and to cover all their other living expenses?

Also, some landlords cannot get house insurance for DSS tenants. Don't ask me why.

Pixie5740

Unless you're in Northern Ireland then DSS was dissolved in 2002 but a lot of landlords and letting agents still advertise that way. I guess what they mean is no housing benefit but not everyone who claims housing benefit doesn't work. If it were a blanket ban on anyone who claims benefits then they would find a shortage of suitable tenants since many people are in receipt of tax credits, state pension and child benefit to name but a few.

In addition to some insurers not covering "dss" tenants some mortgage lenders prohibit letting to people claiming housing benefit too.

People reliant on housing benefit are at the mercy of the whims of the government. However, even those in gainful employment at the time off application could find themselves out of work during the tenancy.

I suppose if there's enough demand for rental properties in the area landlords can pick and choose tenants which will be easier for them.

theartfullodger

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

.........

Also, some landlords cannot get house insurance for DSS tenants. Don't ask me why.

Why? These clever landlords don't know how to use the 'phone or t'InterNet.

It's easy to get Landlord insurance covering HB/LHA tenants: It might be a little more expensive (not much in the overall scheme) to get buildings/contents cover: and it might not be possible for landlord to get rent guarantee insurance.... without, say, credit-checked Guarantor

Rent guarantee insurance pays out if the tenant inexplicably forgets to pay the rent(**): e.g
https://www.discountlandlord.co.uk/our-products/rent-guarantee-and-legal-insurance

** Yes we know HB/LHA will possibly be paid direct to landlord and the government always pays doesn't it?? Err no, government will not pay if the claim turns out to be fraudulent, if government decides to suspend payment if it has suspicions, payment reduced/stopped if previous HB/LHA payment was wrong & a repayment is required, payment stopped if claimant fails toreply to paperwork etc etc etc....

FBaby

Mainly because the chance of you leaving the property after being handed an S21 is much lower than someone working. This is especially an issue when rent isn't paid and the LL knows there is little chance they will get the money back.

csgohan4

Looking at the Can't Pay we Take it away series, the state the Housing benefit tenants leave the house in after being evicted sends cringes down my neck. No thank you.

If you don't work, what guarantee you can provide the rent unless you want to pay 6-12months upfront

[Deleted User]

Not working, never ever left a place in a mess. Any of the conditions mentioned above can happen just as easily with a working tenant as non working if they are that sort of person. Its the sort of person you are renting to that's important, not their type of income.

Kalamazoo

Whilst the vast majority of both groups are fine, a non working person is more likely to present those kind of issues than a working person though.

It really is as simple as that

teddysmum

There's also the situation of people having less respect for (undervaluing) something they either don't pay for or pay very little towards.


It amazes me that some landlords are willing to take on people who have already had multiple evictions form LA and private rentals, because of neglect, non-payment or antisocial behaviour.

Marvel1

I work and not house proud - would clean it though at end to get my deposit back.

My cousin when he rented did not work and left his place very clean.

Also you could work and end up losing your job soon after.

Dird

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

When the tenant can't cover this extra rent, that's when the trouble starts.

Even worse, the people on the show who don't pay a penny as HA doesn't go straight to landlords & instead splurge like yolo