Private renting on benefits

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935798#Comment_81935798

I agree with that, my LL took me on as they wanted to make sure the property was looked after as emailed them photos of what my as then current property looked like when I moved in and when I was leaving. I also offered to pay 6 months rent up front and was accepted. Now this new Bill stops the 6 months up front, so as a tenant it will put me in a worse situation if I have to move in future.

Dave1UK

Sorry to hear what you're experiencing.

I'm assuming you probably have but incase you haven't have you checked rentals on places such as OpenRent and the like? As opposed to through agents/agencies i.e. Zoopla/Rightmove etc?

OpenRent usually had direct advertisements by landlords themselves not a 3rd party at least it was so about 3+ years ago last we moved.

Believe me when we were looking through traditional agencies even though I was working full-time (wife wasn't) but on my single wage of about ~£30k for rentals we weren't getting anywhere and the agents/agencies wanted/preferred those on a higher wage it seemed.

UnsureAboutthis

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935786#Comment_81935786

That is not an "issue" but a crtieria set out to be met, ie minimal standards.

You have to draw the line somewhere, and often the line is not robust to the extent where a tenant or a lender of money for that mater, may fall into financial difficulties at the first sign of losing their job, losing overtime, having to take unplanned time away from work, or, the dreaded unexpected bills, EG, car insurance premium goes up, car breaks down,, gas elec goes up.

I have a friend who met his wife in Africa when he was over there working, ie building his parents' new home. He got married to this lady but now can't bring her over as his income falls below the the 29500 or about 89k savings. This was cahnged from about neeeding to earn 18k. So life is hard but the financial test for teanants is there to protect tenants to a degree and less of a degree for the LL

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936394#Comment_81936394

It is an issue simply because what is important is the money in a person's pocket, if the system makes someone with £1k more in their pocket fail where someone has less passes, it's a system failure.

UnsureAboutthis

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936767#Comment_81936767

I disagree as 1k wont go far.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936777#Comment_81936777

But that's a different issue, unless you are saying £18.5k is worth more than £19.5k. It might not go far but personally I'd rather have then extra grand n my pocket.

UnsureAboutthis

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936783#Comment_81936783

You've missed the point; the assessment from what is being talked about here is regarding income. Many tenants live at the property for several years and income is the most important factor unless someone wants to pay several years' rent up front on the understanding that if they left, they would get the outstanding money back.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936805#Comment_81936805

I think you're missed the point that wages income is generally taxed.

UnsureAboutthis

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81936809#Comment_81936809

No…

DaveKorda72

Thanks for that information. i will have a read of that act when i get time.

i love reading boring regulations and legislations. It was doing just that that i was able to prove DWP wrong on their decision about my LCWRA and i got it all back paid.

Knowledge is power