Single person renting

ne26sp

I understand that the government have said landlords can't start eviction process for 3 months, however this is still stressful thinking I could going to lose my home. I have lost £700 per month due to it been a incentive payment this is not covered in the government furlough scheme and still not entitled to any further support from the government, what are they doing to support those who are single or married who rent and have had a drastic reduction in income? 

GazNicki

The basic answer is, nothing. There seems to be nothing that supports renters as much as it supports homeowners at the moment.

ne26sp

I know i think it is a disgrace by the time my tax NI and deductions of earnings come off my wages I will be left with around £900 and I am expected to pay £500 rent, CT ,bills and my CSA which is £200 per month i am seriously worried.

gary83

Unfortunately the fact that you’re single is irrelevant when it comes to government assistance (with the exception of a possible reduction in council tax) it would be too discriminatory otherwise and would also probably be too open to Potential fraud.

mattyprice4004

GazNicki said:

The basic answer is, nothing. There seems to be nothing that supports renters as much as it supports homeowners at the moment.

Homeowners just get a 3 month mortgage holiday - it still has to be paid, and adds interest to the end of the mortgage too.
How do you propose that this would work for renters? Landlords own outright in a lot of cases, and can't just take a hit of zero income for months, whereas banks can. 

silvercar

Are you entitled to claim Universal Credit? Local Housing Allowance is part of that and decided to help you with your rent.

abovewater2016

Re: Universal Credit and LHA. As a single person renting myself, I rent a relatively cheap two bedroom property as I need a home office. I am only entitled to £340 for one bedroom and penalised 14% on that amount for having a spare bedroom. It's a good system for non-workers on continual benefit payments but not good for those of us who are single, rent and are only entitled to Universal Credit for various reasons. I work non-stop and have never claimed benefits but as a Director of limited company entitled to noting under 80% scheme despite always working and no savings as company is still working towards profit-making stage. Just frantically strategizing to find ways to top up my income so rent can be paid. Landlord not entitled to anything to cover on his side; Landlord payment holidays and non-eviction for three months doesn't help at all as the rent will be getting further and further behind the longer lockdown needs to be in place. It's a situation with no solution whichever way I look at it for people like us. I haven't been informed of how much I will be entitled to on top of Housing Benefit yet but as far as I'm aware it will be around £95 a week for ESA? Does that sound correct? Anything that anyone else can think of that I haven't would be much appreciated!

abovewater2016

I'm assuming that most of the Council Tax is also covered under these circumstances? I'm green to the world of benefits. I don't understand why those who are fit to work and on long-term benefits bother; it seems more work to me than actually working! That said, I can't help but think if I'd got myself a couple of sprogs along my life journey that I would be in a much better position. Sorry if that sounds bitter but struggling not to be!

CIS

abovewater2016 said:

I'm assuming that most of the Council Tax is also covered under these circumstances? I'm green to the world of benefits. I don't understand why those who are fit to work and on long-term benefits bother; it seems more work to me than actually working! That said, I can't help but think if I'd got myself a couple of sprogs along my life journey that I would be in a much better position. Sorry if that sounds bitter but struggling not to be!

It depends on the council , each can set the amount they pay (within specified limits).

mobilejo

GazNicki said:

The basic answer is, nothing. There seems to be nothing that supports renters as much as it supports homeowners at the moment.

Homeowners are not better off - a 3 month mortgage holiday with interest added (with some lenders applying a higher interest rate) compared to 3 months of tenants not being evicted and probably being able to repay their arrears without interest, if they repay at all (some definitely will not repay anything).

No one is a winner here.