Renting with DSS

PasturesNew

Your figures don't stack up under common affordability calculations.

Ignoring all other figures, to rent a flat of £550/month most agents would be looking for an income of £16,500/year. At that point they then look at where the money's coming from and ponder how "safe" it seems.

On top of rent there's £100-120/month council tax, electricity, gas, water, TV license, broadband, contents insurance. Then the inbound fees, AST renewal fees ... and on and on and on.

LocoLoco

hiiw wrote: »

Thanks so much for the advice, wanted ads are a good idea. I have drawn up a budget and I have references from previous landlords, which I expect helps. I am on the council housing register but need to go down and re-confirm some things as I'm on a suspension due to the recently change in employment circumstances Will get that done ASAP as I know in my local authority a lot of council landlords only want to rent to people who are employed.

My current job is secure for at least a year, I will be qualified at the end of it and allegedly shouldn't have trouble getting a permanent position, but again I see why this might be a problem! Obviously if it comes to it I'll just have to make do living with family for a while longer and save up some more. I have about £3500 in savings ATM but I have been considering opening a help to buy ISA and focusing on trying to buy somewhere once I have a secure employment position. It's all just a bit of a bloody minefield, and ideally I really don't want to be in my current living situation for any longer than necessary!

It sounds like you are heading in the right direction with everything so just keep trying and knocking on doors. It's very hard and I lived in constant fear of whoever our current landlord was needing the property back because I knew getting another private let on housing benefit would be so difficult (fortunately we were with our previous landlord for eight years and he was absolutely lovely). Keep trying and eventually it will happen; good luck!

mchale

hiiw wrote: »

You're right, it is a totally outdated and ridiculous criteria. Honestly, I'm not sure why it's legal for landlords to refuse tenants based on whether they claim any benefits or not :huh:

Because LL's don't like being robbed, in over 30 yrs as a LL the majority of people not paying their rent have been tenant's in receipt of benefits, yes I have had non paying professionals but they are fewer than the benefit tenant's, Unfortunately I will only accept benefits tenants with a guarantor now, I have got some very very good benefit tenant's. Go back to the old days & make direct payments to the LL & I would take any tenant, but I can see a lot more trouble brewing with the introduction of universal credit.

Rant over

KxMx

Your council housing department should have a list of benefit friendly landlords.

Pixie5740

mchale wrote: »

Because LL's don't like being robbed, in over 30 yrs as a LL the majority of people not paying their rent have been tenant's in receipt of benefits, yes I have had non paying professionals but they are fewer than the benefit tenant's, Unfortunately I will only accept benefits tenants with a guarantor now, I have got some very very good benefit tenant's. Go back to the old days & make direct payments to the LL & I would take any tenant, but I can see a lot more trouble brewing with the introduction of universal credit.

Rant over

Is that a blanket ban on all benefits or just some?

IAmWales

hiiw wrote: »

The PIP is secure for the next 3 years, by which time I should be being paid significantly more, but I understand where you're coming from.

Unless your condition improves in the meantime. You do need to notify them of any changes in circumstances.