Finding a rental flat for someone with mental health problems

[Deleted User]

Trying to help a family member. They have severe mental health problems and need to move out of their parents' place. Doctor agrees this is the best course of action.

They can't work and their only income is disability benefits. Parents are willing to put up one month rent plus deposit and be guarantor. Once in, rent would be paid by UC.

Of course, most landlords aren't interested in "DSS" tenants. Rental agents practically chase you out of the office, despite it being illegal.

Any tips for finding somewhere?

_Penny_Dreadful

[Deleted User] said:

Trying to help a family member. They have severe mental health problems and need to move out of their parents' place. Doctor agrees this is the best course of action.

They can't work and their only income is disability benefits. Parents are willing to put up one month rent plus deposit and be guarantor. Once in, rent would be paid by UC.

Of course, most landlords aren't interested in "DSS" tenants. Rental agents practically chase you out of the office, despite it being illegal.

Any tips for finding somewhere?

Illegal or not, most people whose sole income comes from UC are unlikely to pass affordability for a private rental so will always lose out to other applicants.

Is your relative capable of independent living? I’m wondering if some sort of supported housing would be an option. 

Can you mental health charities provide housing advice or help with securing housing? 

Social housing could also be an option if medical professionals are recommending moving out of the parents’ home. 

elsien

They would only be eligible for supported living if they had assessed support needs. Is that the case? When you say doctor, is it a GP or a psychiatrist who is suggesting that living elsewhere might be helpful? Are they open to secondary mental health services and do they have a social worker or care coordinator who could help them to explore this?

I would also suggest looking at social housing, however, even with mental health needs which may make them more of a priority, there will still be a long wait because at the moment they are housed. I worked with a lady who was in hospital under section and she was told that she could be waiting for 12 months upwards  for a permanent place although she was ready to be discharged. 

It can be worth checking with housing association separately, though the problem is likely to be the shortage of single person flats.

Living in an HMO might be easier to get a place, although that obviously has downsides Which can be difficult for some people depending on the nature of the mental illness.
Have you checked that private rents in the area are within the local authority rates? 

Otherwise it’s just going to be perseverance and keeping trying. You say parents will act as a guarantor, but what about a deposit
Maybe contact the local council to see a housing officer and see what schemes they have because sometimes they will also help with a deposit and they may also know landlords who are more amenable to DWP tenants.

EssexHebridean

Not related specifically to the nuts and bolts of actually finding a landlord prepared to rent to someone in that situation, but give consideration to not only what their own needs are but also if their specific condition could cause issues with neighbours. For example if they have periods of time when they may deal with frustration by stamping about the place in a rage (not suggesting this is the case, just using it as an example) then look at ground floor properties only. If they are already struggling with poor mental health then a situation which is likely to create conflict with their new neighbours will only make things worse for them. 

Some of the mental health charities may also have resources on dealing with the difficulties of finding accommodation in your relative’s position. 

Emmia

EssexHebridean said:

Not related specifically to the nuts and bolts of actually finding a landlord prepared to rent to someone in that situation, but give consideration to not only what their own needs are but also if their specific condition could cause issues with neighbours. For example if they have periods of time when they may deal with frustration by stamping about the place in a rage (not suggesting this is the case, just using it as an example) then look at ground floor properties only. If they are already struggling with poor mental health then a situation which is likely to create conflict with their new neighbours will only make things worse for them. 

Some of the mental health charities may also have resources on dealing with the difficulties of finding accommodation in your relative’s position. 

I think for these reasons a room in a HMO or house share also wouldn't be a good idea - although that does remove a huge category of less expensive housing.

[Deleted User]

_Penny_Dreadful said:

[Deleted User] said:

Trying to help a family member. They have severe mental health problems and need to move out of their parents' place. Doctor agrees this is the best course of action.

They can't work and their only income is disability benefits. Parents are willing to put up one month rent plus deposit and be guarantor. Once in, rent would be paid by UC.

Of course, most landlords aren't interested in "DSS" tenants. Rental agents practically chase you out of the office, despite it being illegal.

Any tips for finding somewhere?

Illegal or not, most people whose sole income comes from UC are unlikely to pass affordability for a private rental so will always lose out to other applicants.

Is your relative capable of independent living? I’m wondering if some sort of supported housing would be an option. 

Can you mental health charities provide housing advice or help with securing housing? 

Social housing could also be an option if medical professionals are recommending moving out of the parents’ home. 

Thanks Penny. He is capable of independent living, or so the assessment team says. He wants to be on his own, not sharing. I know, but nobody can force him to do anything. The social housing situation is dire here too.

[Deleted User]

elsien said:

They would only be eligible for supported living if they had assessed support needs. Is that the case? When you say doctor, is it a GP or a psychiatrist who is suggesting that living elsewhere might be helpful? Are they open to secondary mental health services and do they have a social worker or care coordinator who could help them to explore this?

I would also suggest looking at social housing, however, even with mental health needs which may make them more of a priority, there will still be a long wait because at the moment they are housed. I worked with a lady who was in hospital under section and she was told that she could be waiting for 12 months upwards  for a permanent place although she was ready to be discharged. 

It can be worth checking with housing association separately, though the problem is likely to be the shortage of single person flats.

Living in an HMO might be easier to get a place, although that obviously has downsides Which can be difficult for some people depending on the nature of the mental illness.
Have you checked that private rents in the area are within the local authority rates? 

Otherwise it’s just going to be perseverance and keeping trying. You say parents will act as a guarantor, but what about a deposit
Maybe contact the local council to see a housing officer and see what schemes they have because sometimes they will also help with a deposit and they may also know landlords who are more amenable to DWP tenants.

Thanks elsien.

I think living with other people might be an issue for him. He has trouble interacting with other people at times, so needs to be able to control when he is around them, which is why he wants to have his own place.

I will try contacting the local council as you suggest, thanks.

[Deleted User]

EssexHebridean said:

Not related specifically to the nuts and bolts of actually finding a landlord prepared to rent to someone in that situation, but give consideration to not only what their own needs are but also if their specific condition could cause issues with neighbours. For example if they have periods of time when they may deal with frustration by stamping about the place in a rage (not suggesting this is the case, just using it as an example) then look at ground floor properties only. If they are already struggling with poor mental health then a situation which is likely to create conflict with their new neighbours will only make things worse for them. 

Some of the mental health charities may also have resources on dealing with the difficulties of finding accommodation in your relative’s position. 

Yes, he needs somewhere he can be alone when he wants to be.

[Deleted User]

Turns out it's basically impossible to get a place for someone like him, because every landlord won't entertain someone reliant on benefits.

ognum

[Deleted User] said:

Turns out it's basically impossible to get a place for someone like him, because every landlord won't entertain someone reliant on benefits.

Have you considered aither you or a family member acting as guarantor?  This would give any LL a means of guaranteeing the rent should any issues arise.

ognum

Sorry typo - either not aither