Dbc 1 - Mot 0

ampersand

Triker wrote: »

Why thank you kindly, had the thought of baking the magnificent seven a celebration cake when we reach a satisfactory conclusion for MOT but I reckoned you may all politely but firmly decline .xxx

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triker, such a delaightful offer, I'm sure, but kindly wait until mot doesn't need us UP AND FULLY FUNCTIONING in her cause.
Cometh the hour, cometh the cake.

ampersand

alibo wrote: »

Anything of interest to us in the local rag?

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Followed up local lettings online and 'phone with mot earlier - now away to DBC learning what HB ceiling she will have(then to be checked by CAB Specialist Benefits Advisor, just to be on safe side).
Online form is only a guide.
Several Agents have already expressed genuine kindness(Tara@ Home Counties and -exceptionally so - Brian Finn) and may be able to help further, from their own contacts, but generally speaking, Landlords are not accepting HB, in view of the forthcoming change in Legislation. Karen @ Halls, has a friend in Govt, who explained what the rationale is supposed to be behind this discouraging and apparently bizarre move from a Labour Administration - it's to stop a Landlord from 'knowing' that his/her tenant is on HB. But, as Karen said, this will fall down at the Ref. stage anyway and The true and upright will suffer for the sake of the wayward ones.
Anyway, back to work.

silvercar

May be worth pointing out to landords that there is no danger of council clawing back HB paid in error if tenants receive payment themselves. Also, there will be no need for landlord to be involved in paperwork if tenant sorts claim. In a lot of areas (including MoTs) HB pays a lot of the rent and the tenant needs to provide a top-up. This is a nightmare for landlords as HB is paid 4 weeks in arrears but rent is due monthly in advance, so the new scheme should mean that landlords receive the rent in a more timely manner.

Just because a potential tenant is receiving HB initially, no reason to presume that they won't move to paid employment in due course.

I would have though single mums with kids would be good tenants because they want the security of staying in one place for a good few years (no voids for LLs), whereas young professionals will move sticks regularly.

All points for landlords to see MoT as a good thing!

Tiglet

Hi, MoT. I've been following your story since Monday but I haven't posted until now.

I don't know how much help I can be in a practical sense, I just wanted to add yet another voice to the chorus that's cheering you on.:beer::j:j

ampersand

This is a link for the DIGS Scheme that Mr Brian Finn, Estate Agent, mentioned - apologies if it has already been posted - couldn't see it anywhere. Have left msg on mot's 'phone to ask about it at Council.

http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/Digest/default.aspx?page=138

ampersand

Have just had an em from the excellent Dan Freedman -
Look at what he finds here:

Empty homes agency figs- regional breakdown:

Dacorums figures are on there under Hertfordshire:

http://www.emptyhomes.com/resources/stats/east06.htm

Dan
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It's a shocker - just look carefully at each column!
DBC are :rolleyes: 'winners':rolleyes: by every stat., headcount and %.

in_debt_again_but_dealing_with_it

That really is shocking and shameful - perhaps MOT should do a recky and check out herself for any vacant council houses. Thats how a friend of mine eventually got hers - she spotted it - approached the council (Coventry) and pestered them - it took months and lots of pestering but she got it!

Triker

A long shot maybe, do you have a university or college of higher education nearby?

Apologies I'd look myself but I'm not familiar with the area you are in.

It may be worth ringing them to see if they have an accommodation officer.

They can have lists of private landlords who are willing to rent to families.

Don't forget a lot of mature students have families and need to rent places when they go on courses.

Triker

Another thought would maybe be to ask estate agents if they have had properties for sale that are not budging at all and to ask the vendors if they would be interested in a long let to you whilst the housing market settles down a bit.

Again a long shot but desperate times and all that.xxxx

Burlesque_Babe

Hi - only lurked so far and didn't have anything constructive to add other than my positive thoughts, but Triker's comment has triggered off a thought - the local hospital will probably have a housing officer and will have a list of landlords. The hospital I worked at had lots of offers of rooms/flats/houses as there were always trainee nurses/doctors/radiotherapists coming and going.