Asking the council for somewhere to live

DanS1

Got made redundant from my job a few months ago and since then have been living on redundancy money, universal credit and a few temp jobs. I rent privately and never told my landlord I lost my job (didn't feel the need to, wouldn't struggle to pay the rent) however my tenancy is up for renewal in a few months and they will ask to see 3 months worth of wage slips, which I worry I won't have as I'm  struggling to find other work. I will have to tell them I lost my job but worry I may be evicted and have nowhere to live (landlord doesn't accept DSS). Should I inform my local council housing about my situation and see if there's any chance I can go on the waiting list? Renting privately somewhere won't be possible and I have no family members with a spare room.

Slithery

You don't have to tell your landlord anything, just don't renew and it automatically becomes a periodic tenancy.

ss2020jd

Sorry to hear about your situation. If you have been living there without issue and have been paying the rent despite everything I can’t see how the landlord would not accept rent if it was paid via benefits if you would be eligible. I would get advice from the citizens’ advice bureau or Shelter as they can explain your rights. They have a lot of information on their website but you could also try to get advice about your specific situation.

It may depend if you rent through an agency or deal directly with the landlord but I don’t think you can just be evicted like that given your circumstances. 

You could try your local council or housing associations but it may be that they can’t do anything to help unless you are on notice of eviction but again you can check your council website and the Citizens’ advice. 

It could be that you may find another job in the time it takes for proceedings or even that the landlord agrees to accept payment by benefits if they know you are actively looking for work in the meantime.

I hope there is some solution. 

theoretica

Shelter are housing experts and you may find their website helpful https://www.shelter.org.uk/

ss2020jd

And to add to that, the Shelter website also deals with the no DSS issue which is actually classed as discrimination:

The courts have ruled that 'no DSS' policies are unlawful because they indirectly discriminate against women and disabled people. 

You can complain to an agent if you've faced DSS discrimination in your search for a home, regardless of your sex or disability.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/how_to_challenge_dss_discrimination/what_is_a_no_dss_policy

RAS

No need to do anything.

If the LL tell you to provide 3 months wage slips to get a new 12 month tenancy, just tell them you're happy to go periodic, as happens automatically anyway.

DO check your rental contract to find out if it rolls over to a contractual or statutory periodic tenancy as this may affect the notice you have to give if you want to leave.

Much more sensible anyway as it means you can be more flexible about where you work if you can move location, opening up more job opportunities.

The LL can give you notice but you don't need to move out at the end of the notice and it'll take months for them to even get a court date.

Tokmon

DanS1 said:

Got made redundant from my job a few months ago and since then have been living on redundancy money, universal credit and a few temp jobs. I rent privately and never told my landlord I lost my job (didn't feel the need to, wouldn't struggle to pay the rent) however my tenancy is up for renewal in a few months and they will ask to see 3 months worth of wage slips, which I worry I won't have as I'm  struggling to find other work. I will have to tell them I lost my job but worry I may be evicted and have nowhere to live (landlord doesn't accept DSS). Should I inform my local council housing about my situation and see if there's any chance I can go on the waiting list? Renting privately somewhere won't be possible and I have no family members with a spare room.

That won't be an issue because the "Department of Social Security" hasn't existed since 2001 so you certainly won't be receiving anything from them to help pay the rent!

DanS1

I approached the council a few months ago to ask to be put on the waiting list. I was refused as I'm suitably housed and it's based on need not want. Completely unfair, lived in this country my whole life for 31 years, always paid my taxes and never missed a rent payment, but struggle to live alone financially due to being a single bloke with depression. I bet I I had about 500 kids I'd soon be on the list.

FreeBear

DanS1 said:

I approached the council a few months ago to ask to be put on the waiting list. I was refused as I'm suitably housed and it's based on need not want. Completely unfair, lived in this country my whole life for 31 years, always paid my taxes and never missed a rent payment, but struggle to live alone financially due to being a single bloke with depression. I bet I I had about 500 kids I'd soon be on the list.

Nope. Even with children in tow, as long as the property is of a suitable size, you would still be classed as "adequately housed". So you would not get any preferential treatment from the local council.

unforeseen

Are you hoping to get a house with a parking space?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6382793/regretting-new-car-purchase#latest

Mr.Generous

unforeseen said:

Are you hoping to get a house with a parking space?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6382793/regretting-new-car-purchase#latest

Oh yeah - win/win live in the £4k 2007 Yaris 1.6 and the AA can be your landlord.