LHA/DSS Prejudice?

geri1965_2

This is ridiculous. You have money in the bank and another job to go to (part time). I would refuse to leave - they are being totally unreasonable.

Have you told them you've another job lined up? No need to tell them it's part time.

Edit - just noticed that you had another job lined up - not have. Anyway, a little white lie might still do the trick.

mitchaa

The bad spoil it for the good.

Those in receipt of HB/LHA are stereotyped because of it.

I.e..Can you imagine LHA being paid direct into a heroin addict/alcoholics bank account:rotfl: Would they pay their landlord or would they spend the £££ on their next fix?

The above obviously a bad example which spoils it for the good. Landlords dont want to take the chance hence the ''No DSS'' signs.

Quite reasonable IMO. if i was a landlord, i too would want a little protection.

Yes there is a good proportion who will be perfect respectful tenants, but then there are the bad eggs of society aswell. In terms of HB/LHA the 2 are exactly the same hence they need vetting. The simple way is to just block it all by stating No DSS.

Sad but very true.

tom9980

mitchaa wrote: »

Landlords dont want to take the chance hence the ''No DSS'' signs.

Quite reasonable IMO. if i was a landlord, i too would want a little protection.

I understand it fine but this is not the case here, i still strongly suggest the OP goes to the letting agents and try and get them to change their minds by offering 6 months rent in advance while they find a new job.

MRS_TO_BE_2

This is disgusting behaviour. It makes me think the agent wants to up the rent and bag all the new set up fees you get with new tenants. Most letting agents don't deserve the money they get as they do nothing for it.

Check out www.arla.co.uk it might be useful to look at.

Also do contact shelter, local homeless officer even speak to your MP. They are sometimes helpful.

Do not allow tenacy to end without good advice. If you end up homeless council may deem it voluntary if you have not gone to court to be evicted.

Get everything in writing from agent but first have polite word explaining circs. It might help. If not consider your local paper. Shaming the agent into allowing you to stay.

Another thing is who is your Landlord? Try and contact them direct if no luck with agent. Appeal to their better nature, tell them how happy you are in their house and what a lovely area they brought in. Say you were very unlucky in being made redundant but you hope to secure work soon.


good luck

cifpower

I was always under the impression that you could legally claim HB and you couldn't be kicked out?

MRS_TO_BE_2

Been thinking about your situation again.

You say you have been given notice to quit cos of the DSS clause. Notice shouldn't be given unless you claim housing benefits. you are still employed anyway at mo so don't think valid notice to quit.

If you are able to claim JSA c and not claim housing benefits then there is no way the landlord/agent can find out what you are claiming due to data protection. The only benefit they would need to know about is housing benefit.

It doesn't matter what kind of job you get in the eyes of the agent for all they know you could be doing voluntary work and living off savings. none of their business,.

Please seek professional help, I've dealt with some rubbish agents in my time but this one really surpasses them all!

William29

If the clause actually says 'DSS', then I'd talk to a Solicitor.

DSS stands for the Department for Social Security. What department is that? Ermm. None. The Department for Social Security doesn't exist. If it doesn't exist you can't claim benefits off them, and if you can't claim off them, you can't be evicted.

Its now DWP, Department for Work and Pensions. Unless they have got DWP in your agreement I'd say its unfair to evict you for allegedly claiming benefits from a department that doesn't exist.

I think you'd be within your rights to write a letter stating your not claiming anything from the DSS and you don't have any intention to. How you find your rent is your business as long as its paid on time.

Nothing untrue there.

mitchaa

William29 wrote: »

If the clause actually says 'DSS', then I'd talk to a Solicitor.

DSS stands for the Department for Social Security. What department is that? Ermm. None. The Department for Social Security doesn't exist. If it doesn't exist you can't claim benefits off them, and if you can't claim off them, you can't be evicted.

Its now DWP, Department for Work and Pensions. Unless they have got DWP in your agreement I'd say its unfair to evict you for allegedly claiming benefits from a department that doesn't exist.

I think you'd be within your rights to write a letter stating your not claiming anything from the DSS and you don't have any intention to. How you find your rent is your business as long as its paid on time.

Nothing untrue there.

Thats just silly and wishful thinking it means exactly the same thing. No DSS or DWP means exactly the same thing, its just terminology, you wouldn't win that 1:rotfl: Nice try though.

If a landlord wants you out, then there is absoloutly nothing you can do about it, its his/her house at the end of the day.

absolutebounder

What does your tenancy agreement say about DSS

Batty_3

It says NO DSS/LHA/Unemployed and I signed the lease on the grounds I was full-time employed (which I was)

ANYWAY

Social Services have stepped in and written to the Letting Agency on my behalf. I've had to move my son to another school once this year, if I have to do it again, and then again in September, they argue his education will suffer, if I have to keep moving house every 6 months. There are two schools in my town and depending on which side of the railway tracks you live (Yes really!) depends which school you have to go to!

Fingers crossed for me. I've seen several houses to move into but until they release my £900 Bond for this place, I cannot scrape up enough to move. My severance will be end at the end of July when my normal pay day is NOT June when I finish. I get my pay end of June as monthly salary, but that rent is for this place!

I will let you know how I get on.