Trying to find properties allowing Housing Benefit

daphnemoon

Does anyone please have any suggestions on sites or companies that specialise in accepting tenants on Housing Benefit.

We have years of good history with previous rental homes whilst on HB but need to move to Nottingham soon and are struggling to find a nice place that will take us.

Thanks in advance for your help

Cakeguts

The best place to find out is often from the local council. They will know which landlords they work with.



Someone will be along soon to say that adverts can't discriminate against people claiming the housing part of universal credit but that doesn't mean that the landlord has to let to you or that you will pass the financial checks.



Some councils have lists of landlords whose business model is people claiming housing benefits so try then first.

D_M_E

Try contacting the local council and asking if they know of any landlords locally who would accept HB.

Think part of the problem is that landlord insurance - or some policies - specifically exclude the landlord from accepting tenants on HB so that could be why.

LocoLoco

I look for private ads on Gumtree or Facebook pages in that local area and contact every letting agent with a nice email explaining my previous good history, good references, deposit available and so on - some do have the odd landlord on their books that will take tenants on HB even if it isn't a blanket policy and will keep an eye out for you (there are some nice people about who will help if they can). It's also worth advertising yourself on Gumtree (do be careful of scams when doing things online) and/or if you can spend a few days in the area you want to move to some people do still advertise places in shop windows, notice boards and so on.


There is a site called Benefit Housing which is supposed to be all about helping people find properties where HB is accepted but I've not used them personally; might be worth a look though. I do stress be careful; unfortunately there are rip off merchants out there and people who are desperate to move and don't have a lot of choices are easy targets so do check everything out carefully. Hope you are able to find something x

cashmonger

You are moving after all then ? What happened to LA negotiation they gave you S21?

I been on HB a long time too partly, as low income self employed, but I am on a taper now and only get a % in HB however most don't give a sh**. If you are on it even 1% you are rejected outright as a pariah.

Openrent check that out as you can search by allow DSS but even on that the ones that openly accept it are very few although since you can contact landlords direct maybe they will be more accommodating.

Gwendo40

cashmonger wrote: »

You are moving after all then ? What happened to LA negotiation they gave you S21?

I been on HB a long time too partly, as low income self employed, but I am on a taper now and only get a % in HB however most don't give a sh**. If you are on it even 1% you are rejected outright as a pariah.

Openrent check that out as you can search by allow DSS but even on that the ones that openly accept it are very few although since you can contact landlords direct maybe they will be more accommodating.

It is a strange system that allows someone to continue with what appears to be a non-viable hobby job and subsidises them long term with tax payers money.

But fair play to you, that's the way the system is, so why not take advantage of it.

cashmonger

Gwendo40 wrote: »

It is a strange system that allows someone to continue with what appears to be a non-viable hobby job and subsidises them long term with tax payers money.

But fair play to you, that's the way the system is, so why not take advantage of it.

So glad you approve.

Slithery

Try Openrent, it will let you contact LL's directly instead of going through an agency.

daphnemoon

cashmonger wrote: »

You are moving after all then ? What happened to LA negotiation they gave you S21?

I been on HB a long time too partly, as low income self employed, but I am on a taper now and only get a % in HB however most don't give a sh**. If you are on it even 1% you are rejected outright as a pariah.

Openrent check that out as you can search by allow DSS but even on that the ones that openly accept it are very few although since you can contact landlords direct maybe they will be more accommodating.

Hiya Cashmonger. LA advised will be giving S21 so getting ready in expectation of it arriving this week.
Will check out all the suggestions.
Thanks

lisyloo

Gwendo40 wrote: »

It is a strange system that allows someone to continue with what appears to be a non-viable hobby job and subsidises them long term with tax payers money.

Really Gwenda?

What are your suggestions for those with health conditions that don’t allow them to work full time?
What about those single parents who can only find low paid part time work around their child care obligations? What should we do with them?
What about those who don’t have a great skill set and can’t better themselves?
What about those in the gig economy who just can’t get more hours?

I’m sure the government will value your insights from judgment central.

Chandler85

I think that Gwenda was more suggesting that the minimum wage in society should cover someone's basic needs. If someone is for example working 40 hours a week as a cleaner, why should the state have to top up their wage with housing benefit? They shouldn't the person working shouldn't have to rely on the state, they should be getting a salary then can live on. However, Capitalism doesn't like this!

There are exceptions as always, medical conditions as you have stated.

People with children is a bit of a hot topic, as each case is different, I know people with two kids who won't have a 3rd because they can't afford too. They get annoyed at people who don't work and can have more children happily.

But if you told them someone was a single parent with 4 kids and the state was supporting everything for them because there spouse had died, they would support that!