NO DSS Letting Agents and Landlords

rik111

You really want to force Landlords to accept tenants they don't want .? Why not go the whole hog and make it illegal to refuse any tenant that applies.
The fact is that, it is a huge risk to rent anything these days. It could take a year to get them out with no rent coming in and you could be handed a trashed property, cost can tun into 10's of thousands.
At least if you have a working couple with good credit you might have a chance of recovering a debt but no point even trying to go after anyone on benefits.

David2710

Lover_of_Lycra said:

There was a similar thread the other week. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6252765/local-housing-allowance-renting-in-the-private-rented-sector

Yes thanks that was me again making my case. This is just a follow up before I put my case to my MP. 

GDB2222

David2710 said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

There was a similar thread the other week. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6252765/local-housing-allowance-renting-in-the-private-rented-sector

Yes thanks that was me again making my case. This is just a follow up before I put my case to my MP. 

I'm not sure what practical changes you want? 

David2710

SpiderLegs said:

It’s not clear from your post, have you found properties that are still being advertised as No DSS?

im not sure that the ruling prevented landlords from requiring a minimum income or requesting a guarantor, but I will go check now...

TBH it’s not that unexpected that LLs will continue to impose financial limitations on who they let their properties to and as long as they do so without referencing discriminatory terms I don’t know what can be reasonably done about it.

As someone has already pointed out this was a follow up to a previous post on the same subject. This all stems from an email received from my landlord telling me he intends to sell the property. My mission now is to test the situation in real time and to make consultations to change the law. The reason Landlords are still discriminating against specific groups is they probably think they can get away with it because it's not yet written into law. Watch this space.   

  

SpiderLegs

rik111 said:

You really want to force Landlords to accept tenants they don't want .? Why not go the whole hog and make it illegal to refuse any tenant that applies.
The fact is that, it is a huge risk to rent anything these days. It could take a year to get them out with no rent coming in and you could be handed a trashed property, cost can tun into 10's of thousands.
At least if you have a working couple with good credit you might have a chance of recovering a debt but no point even trying to go after anyone on benefits.

The govt have already made an unprecedented intervention in the rental market by banning evictions and forcing LLs to take a continuing hit on non-paying tenants.
I am not suggesting whether that was a good or bad policy given the pandemic, but regardless it demonstrates that there is a willingness to load more risk/cost onto LLs which will inevitably result in them looking to mitigate through higher rents or by tightening up on requirements.

squizz11

I can't find a house ,  my husband works and we get a universal credit top up,  we have had all the excuses under the sun.   we have a 14 year rental history with 1 landlord and excellent references.   our landlord is selling and our time is up soon.   they might not write on the adds ,No DSS but it's not what they mean

David2710

[Deleted User] said:

Why the need for more legislation and what would it be?
No. The process is to test allegations in the Court arena. 
You even say that fines were issued.

Because legal precedent is not the law as it currently stands. If Landlords think they can get away with bypassing the anti-discrimination act then the law needs changing. It's as simple as.  

GDB2222

squizz11 said:

I can't find a house ,  my husband works and we get a universal credit top up,  we have had all the excuses under the sun.   we have a 14 year rental history with 1 landlord and excellent references.   our landlord is selling and our time is up soon.   they might not write on the adds ,No DSS but it's not what they mean

How would you stop this, though?  

theartfullodger

Being as I am on 6 benefits (old) , I'm sympathetic to you:. Even though I'm a wicked and evil landlord.

Dunno if anyone has mentioned it, but the DSS was dissolved 2001.

Good luck!

David2710

HampshireH said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

There was a similar thread the other week. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6252765/local-housing-allowance-renting-in-the-private-rented-sector

Also the OPs thread. Not sure why we need two.

Because as already explained it's a follow to a previous thread. The seriousness of my findings deserves another dedicated thread imho. I know some landlords would rather brush matter under the carpet but I think they underestimate how angry people are about this.