Question for landlords

[Dobbysgotthesocks]

If you had a tenant enquiring about renting your property would you be more or less inclined to rent to them if you were told upfront about their cancer diagnosis?
Or would knowing about a diagnosis put you off renting to someone with a cancer diagnosis.

Ability to pay up to 12 months rent upfront is there.

So far cancer diagnosis has not been disclosed to any prospective landlords or estate agents.

More inclined personally, due to extensive family experience of relatives going through Cancer treatment. To be honest though I suspect it would hinder with most landlords as they’d be worried about you being able to maintain the rent after 12 months if you weren’t well enough to work. So I don’t think I’d mention it in your position. I hope you’re treatment goes well and and you’re soon in remission.

Thanks that's helpful. It's really tricky to know how to handle it!

Not a landlord but was a Tennant for a good few years. There is a housing shortage in my town and in my experience they will use any reason not to rent to someone so a fear of you being able to pay may mean you miss out

It wouldn’t put me off, and I would probably feel more inclined to rent to you.

Thanks. I have a viewing tomorrow and will probably not mention it.

It would not put me off at all, in fact I would be more likely to rent my flat to someone who obviously really needs somewhere secure to stay

I would not have expectations for a prospective tenant to tell me their health issues unless in impacted on their ability to use the property - but presumably a wheel chair user for example is not going to view a first floor flat.
Leases are normally a year, though I understand there's a move to make them minimally two or longer - as a landlord I'd want a tenant in there long term but as long as they are there for the terms of the lease I'm not worried about it. Surely it would be discrimination if otherwise? Equally I'd expect a tenant not to sign a lease they know they could not remain for.

I'm a landlord and I wouldn't bother mentioning it. I also wouldn't offer to pay rent upfront. for a weird reason that's not logical that always puts me off someone.good luck

I'll be honest op, it would put me off. Not because I'm a monster or lacking empathy but it would give me real worry about the increased risk of the tenant being unable to pay rent after the 12 months.

I wouldn't mention it.

I didn't get a single viewing until I offered rent upfront 🤷🏻‍♀️ rental prices have increased 40% here and as a single person it is damned near impossible to find anything affordable. I looked round one yesterday for just over 700 a month. The landlady said she won't even consider anyone earning under £35k!!!
I earn about £24k!

I'm going to be living in my car whilst having chemotherapy I think 😢

@Dobbysgotthesocks
Are there any housing teams you could get in touch with?
Local Housing Associations. Or the council housing team?

that's mad - the estate agents I use [South London] just multiply the monthly rent by 30 to give minimum annual income.

that's plenty to make it affordable. and 30 X 700 = £21000!

I’m a landlord and wouldn’t even get told this information / want to know. Once you start telling landlords this stuff then it tips in to all sorts of personal situations / illnesses / relationship type stuff that’s really not relevant.

Sorry for your illness, hope you find somewhere to live and make a good recovery soon

Yep and I'm registered with them

But

I'm only eligible for a 1 bed place and they make up less than 5% of the housing stock in my area. I've been on the housing site 12 weeks and 1 beds have come up about 6 times. I can't physically bid of anything bigger.
I'm trying to get an exception because I will need people staying with me after surgery and chemotherapy but I'm not having any luck.

I’m so sorry you’re struggling with this OP. I wonder if MacMillan might be able to offer any help, or Shelter. The housing situation in the UK is bloody awful at the moment! You shouldn’t be having to deal with this on top of Cancer treatment.

Where are you based? Have you got support from Macmillan?

Same here, unfortunately.

And I agree with a PP: I would not offer rent up front as this puts me off a person

Sorry about your diagnosis

The thing is I wasn't even being offered viewings until we offered rent upfront. On paper I'm not a good tenant

I'm single with a low-average income
Self employed but not got 3 years tax returns yet.
I have two dogs
I have cancer
I'm being evicted on a section 21.

There is absolutely nothing available. Every house I look at has at least 30 applicants. I'm in the south west. I can't move as my business is here and based in the local community. To move away would mean rebuilding the business from scratch. Not to mention the huge affect it would have on my cancer treatment.

At this point I would absolutely take a tent in a field.

South west rentals are shit at the moment. Have you got a prevention and engagement officer at Housing. Do you know if they will treat you as vulnerable for temp accommodation because of the cancer and treatment.

Do not leave your current rental til full process followed. You do not leave at the end of section 21.

Yes I’d mention to letting agents why you are so desperate. You may have to accept rehoming dogs with family. Sorry brutal truth of lettings down here.

Also make sure all your local parish connections are on your housing register application and focus your bids on those first.

im not sure you’ll get a 2 bed as the carer is short term.

Dogs will not be going anywhere. They are my babies and I won't rehome them under any circumstances. I would rather live in my car than rehome them. It simply isn't an option.

I've already stayed beyond the section 21. We go to court in September most likely. Will be evicted shortly after.
Nobody from the council interested in helping.
Not told the estate agents about the cancer as thought they would see it as another black mark against me.

Im fairly sure we're going to end up on the streets

Don't mention it. There is more if a risk of non payment of bills with any long term illness.

Good luck 🤞

I don't know if Macmillan can help but in your situation I would definitely reach out to them:
www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/macmillan-services

I'm a landlord and it would put me off if I knew. The reason is because I would assume your income is insecure and you might not be able to pay the rent.