Private renting whilst receiving UC

[PinkBird76]

I posted this on the Property/DIY board yesterday and only received one response. Hoping I’ll receive a few more comments on the Chat board.

Name changed for this post.

Bit of a backstory, I was homeless in 2020 whilst pregnant and instead of staying in temporary accommodation long term, the council helped house me in a private property. They paid the deposit and in return, the LL was happy to accept someone who was on UC. I moved into the property in 2021.

Fast forward to now and due to issues with the LL and a persistent rodent problem, we have to move house soon. I now have 2 children (1&2 year old) and they both have a disability/additional needs. Despite being a carer, I just about manage to work 2 days a week and receive UC too. We receive an additional bedroom allowance because of DS’ disability which means that the LHA is covered by UC. I don’t need to top it up at all.

It is practically impossible to find a suitable property that will accept someone on UC. I have a strong reference from the current EA which highlights the fact that I’ve never been late with a rent payment and have always paid the full amount. I’ve never been in arrears. I have a bloody guarantor and that’s still not enough.

My monthly wage is about £700.
UC is around £3100.
DLA is just under £600.
Child Benefit is £160.
Their dad gives me £400 a month too.
That’s £4960 a month.

I can understand that LL’s don’t want to rely on DLA/CB/Maintenance but I don’t understand what else I need to do to show that I can pay the rent. UC will cover the whole rent and it’s still an issue.

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do/say to show that I’m a reliable tenant. Just because I’m on UC does not mean that I’m going to be an awful tenant that messes up their house. Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to provide 6 months rent upfront as that would be about £10k. I’d really appreciate hearing from other single mums/parents that have rented whilst receiving UC. Thanks

Nothing pedantic about challenging myths about EHCPs that are regularly perpetuated by some and put parents off pursuing an EHCP.

Because UC pays rent, not mortgages.

@SearchingForSolitude EHCPs are incredibly difficult to currently get. Fact. They shouldn't be, but they are. And even if a child gets one chances are the recommendations won't be adhered to as schools can't afford to employ the necessary staff. Certainly not 1-1 staff.
Schools are in such financial crisis right now they can barely afford to buy stationery!

@titchy So all people on UC are renting then?

All people claiming the housing element of UC are renting yes.

Parents may need to appeal, potentially more than once, but it is more than possible to get an EHCP. Provision detailed, specified and quantified in F can be enforced, via JR if necessary. Lack of funding or staff is not a lawful excuse, the LA is ultimately responsible for ensuring the provision is provided. Parents don’t have to accept unlawful behaviour and policies.

No. There could be people who do not have housing costs ie house has already been paid for. So they would claim uc for living cost . But not tje hiudomh element side of lt.

@SearchingForSolitude But unfortunately many of the parents whose children should be entitled to an EHCP/EHCP recommendations to be delivered are not in a position to be able to push for this or argue their case (for many, many number of reasons).

I agree, there are some parents who can’t or feel like they can’t, but that does not mean myths should be perpetuated or parents should just accept unlawful behaviour from schools and LAs. Instead, parents should be supported to challenge such behaviour and people peddling myths should stop.

@SearchingForSolitude I agree but in reality we don't live in a perfect world.
I once worked in a Pupil Referral Unit for primary children who had been permanently excluded from mainstream education. Even then, a considerable number of EHCPs put to the LA were declined.

Unlawful behaviour should always be challenged.

Some EHCPs are refused, but the vast, vast majority of appeals are successful, which is why parents should be supported to appeal. And why people should stop peddling myths about EHCPs.

If only it was a perfect world. It would make my life easier. I wouldn’t have to constantly unpick myths such as need a diagnosis, to be 2+ years behind, 2+ APDR cycles, outside agencies involved, £6k spent… that have put parents off requesting an EHCNA or put them off appealing a RtA or RtI.

@SearchingForSolitude But the vast, vast majority of parents don't appeal!

I didn’t say they did. I said they should be supported to.

You do know you aren't allowed savings on benefits so can't save for a deposit and buy? You aren't allowed to save DLA as has to be used to benefit child now. So yes it may be a high income but it is what is needed to support the child(ren) to lead a normal life.

@Lifeisgood1 The OP said she has savings? But I appreciate she probably isn't allowed to use those to put down a house deposit?

If OP doesn’t have enough savings for 3 or 6 months rent she obviously doesn’t have enough for a house deposit.

DLA can be saved if the parent wishes to save it. No-one checks up what DLA is used for or the child disability element of UC which together can add up to over 1k a month if highest rates. Uc would stop if the claimant had savings over 16k so people can save for a house deposit but unlikely to be able to save enough to buy in many areas of the country unless getting help from elsewhere too.

@Babyroobs Ah I see. Thanks for explaining.

You think everybody on benefits is raking in that much money a month ? Get a grip and stop generalising because you hear one story on here. Tory papers mudslinging and lies got some people seething with jealousy. The fact is most people on benefits whether they work and top up with uc or are claiming uc due to illness, are barely scraping by.

She would get uc if she was a home owner but she would be exempt from claiming housing benefit. Even people renting and claiming uc, are only entitled to a certain amount of housing benefit. The pittance they get on uc has to cover the shortfall, hence why a lot of people are starving to death or attending food banks. I wish the tabloids told the reality of the suffering, instead we have Tory propaganda and stupid people believing everyone on benefits is earning a fortune. I think people would be shocked to learn the truth and wouldn’t be so bitter towards benefit claimant's if they knew.

@happyfishcoco try not to be put off by the application for DLA. You don’t need to worry about loads of referrals or anything like that. As long as you can explain the care needs that they have (which need to be higher than the average child of the same age) then that’s all you need. Any evidence that you have will support your claim. I only sent a speech & language report and a paediatrician report for my daughter and that was enough. Good luck and thank you for the well wishes in regards to my housing situation!

@FiresideDreamer I didn’t know working part time meant that you’re considered unemployed…

@Danikm151 they don’t have one outside of the homeless scheme unfortunately! I’ve had a look on OpenRent and DSSMove but there’s no properties in my borough that’s available. I’ll keep on looking though as they seem like the most realistic options for me. Thank you:)

@LorlieS I said that I’ll be able to save for a deposit and first months rent. If I’m unable to save for 6 months upfront, then how would I be able to save for a house deposit? Especially when I need to be out of this property by summer. I’m currently in the process of trying to get an EHCP for my daughter

Op

have you tried ringing your local
housing officer? At the end of the day they get to look through all the bids and decide who gets the tenancy, why not ring up and ask if she/he will have an appointment with you?

Then you can explain your situation with regards to your children’s needs and the requirement to stay in the area you are currently in

Have you considered putting a post on here in AIBU and stating the area you are looking for and detailing how you are capable of paying the rent

MN audience goes far and wide you just never know who might read your post and offer to help you

I do know that they might put you in a bed sit with the kids but do they actually do that with families in your area? Some LAs will but some won’t if they don’t have accommodations that will take your children and be able to meet their health requirements.

I mean you are much more likely to get offered accommodation if you apply and they see you are living in a travel lodge

The problem isn't her income. The problem is the majority of her income comes from benefits and child maintenance and so letting agents won't consider her a viable candidate to rent to.
She can't buy either. Noone will give someone a mortgage if your this reliant on benefits tbh.

UC does not provide a housing element for a mortgage. People in properties they own on UC either own their house outright or are covering their mortgages with their living cost money without any housing element, and I'd that latter are likely very skint.

Thanks for the suggestion @Quitelikeit but it doesn’t quite work like that. I’m already on the housing register and have been since 2020 (or 2021, can’t quite remember). I’m in a seriously overcrowded borough and there’s a lack of houses as it is. I’ve already had the MP involved and all I can do is wait until we get shortlisted for a property. In the meantime, it’s best to carry on private renting until we’re housed by the council or HA. I wouldn’t dear post on AIBU😂 I’d literally have a pile on from posters as soon as they saw my UC amount.

@Universalsnail that’s exactly it. I’m not exactly going to get a mortgage based on the amount of UC and maintenance I receive