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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To lie to letting agents about having a job?

51 replies

ohshitwhatamIgoingtodo · 03/03/2014 11:50

I've just received notice to leave my flat as my landlords are retiring and want to sell up.

Thing is, I am not working at the moment and so many letting agencies are saying they will not accept people on benefits. Would I be unreasonable to say that I am a student (which is true), that I earn a bit from being self employed part time and that I also receive maintenance from my ex partner (we have a DD together and that bit is also true)? Otherwise I think I'm in the shit and don't know what to do? I know there is a massive queue for council houses and don't think I really want one anyway (I am looking for work so hope I won't be unemployed for ages).

OP posts:

dontcry · 03/03/2014 15:56

'BettySwollock If you have a mortgage, "your" property isn't actually yours until the mortgage is paid off.'

yes you do actually.You still own your house if you have a 100% mortgage or even negative equity

HappyMummyOfOne · 03/03/2014 16:01

Why would you even consider lying?

Some LL's mortgages and insurance exlude tennants claiming housing benefit. Would you really put their asset at risk simply becaus it it suits you, what if there was a fire and the insurance refused to pay out.

There are LL's who will accept, ask your council for a list.

MotherOfInsomniacToddlers · 03/03/2014 16:12

If you lie the only thing that will happen is you'll waste your referencing fee and be rejected anyway. If you are a student they will more than likely want a guarantor even if you passed all the credit checks! Agents are really fussy who they will rent to! Our last rental went through our bank statements and even wanted a guarantor despite our joint income being £35k. We got approved for a mortgage 6 months later and I swear that was easier than trying to secure a private rental!!

MotherOfInsomniacToddlers · 03/03/2014 16:15

And yes it's up to bettyswollock or any landlord who they rent their house to whether it's mortgaged or not!

Earlybird · 03/03/2014 16:16

How long before you must leave the flat where you now live?

SelectAUserName · 03/03/2014 16:20

dontcry It isn't "yours" to do whatever you want with though. If you rent contrary to the terms and conditions of your mortgage and the lender finds out, they could thereotically demand payment in full of the outstanding balance and if you are unable to pay (and I imagine most people would struggle to do so, otherwise they wouldn't have a mortgage in the first place) the lender could repossess. Most won't (they'd usually try to impose a higher rate of interest), but the option remains open to them legally.

SelectAUserName · 03/03/2014 16:22

In fact IIRC they can call in the mortgage so you have to pay the o/s balance AND leave the property - even worse!

Beastofburden · 03/03/2014 16:35

Weird how landlords are seen as somehow "other". Lying to them is kind of OK, a victimless crime.

Not true. Most LLs are not commercial investors with a big portfolio who can afford to take the loss if you default. Most are normal people who have a reason for renting out for a while.

I understand you are scared. The answer is to get housing that truly suits your situation as it truly is.

Only you know if you will likely to be working again very soon. If you really will get a job sharpish, the problem will go away- so get out there and get a job. if you are not sure, then be honest with yourself about that and consider social housing.

But a Council house is a brilliant resource, you'd be very lucky to get one; and actually, if you aren't going to need one, perhaps you ought to leave it free for a family that really does need it.

specialsubject · 03/03/2014 16:58

I have discovered that it is possible to get insurance and rent guarantee cover for tenants on benefits in some situations. My agent initially advertised the place as no benefits but did come up with a possible benefits tenant, although it didn't proceed for other reasons. But then we aren't in London and places don't rent in seconds.

if you are happy to defraud your landlord, don't whine if you get defrauded in return by the landlord or anyone else. Remember your fraud could actually invalidate the property insurance or the landlord's mortgage. So if the place catches fire or is repossessed, you will really find out what 'in the shit' means and will take an innocent party with you.

BrianTheMole · 03/03/2014 18:26

BettySwollock If you have a mortgage, "your" property isn't actually yours until the mortgage is paid off.

That still doesn't mean she has to let the house out to anyone who wants it does it.

ShitOnAStick · 03/03/2014 19:48

YABVU, you'll need proof and even if you didn't it's dishonest. Some landlords can't let to people on benefits due to their insurance or buy to let schemes. It's shit but it's just the way it is. I have been in the position of needing to find somewhere to live while being on benefits, there are landlords who do accept it. The best houses to look at are ex council or ones that are a bit shabby looking or ones that have been on rightmove a few months.
I live with DH and my two children both under five and we claim housing benefit, it was almost impossible to find somewhere that accepted housing benefit and small children but we did. When we were given notice (due to landlord moving back in) it was so stressful and we thought we'd end up in a b and b. Got turned down for loads of properties.
I found a totally shit looking house on rightmove that had been on there months, it was described as ex local authority and was cheap rent. We went to see it and were accepted, it's decorated terribly but everything works and it's actually in a very nice village.
You can also try gumtree.

CrohnicallyFarting · 03/03/2014 19:56

I totally agree that LLs should be able to let their house out to whoever they wish.

However I wish it wasn't allowed to just say 'no HB' as a blanket rule. Every potential tenant should be considered on their own merits, if that means asking for a guarantor or extra deposit to ensure the LL's financial security, then so be it. But there are lots of really lovely, totally trustworthy people who have had a bit of bad luck, and it's not right that LL's won't even look at them just because they receive HB.

Babyroobs · 03/03/2014 20:02

Sometimes it affects a landlords insurance if the tenant is claiming housing benefit so it's only fair to be honest with them otherwise it can leave their insurance invalid.

morethanpotatoprints · 03/03/2014 20:09

Actually you don't own your own house until your mortgage is paid off.
It belongs to the lender. It is them that repossess if you can't pay, because they own it.

Original poster

ohshitwhatamIgoingtodo · 03/03/2014 20:20

Right, well I am definitely NOT going to lie then. That would be quite stupid wouldn't it. Thanks for all telling me straight that it was a dumb ass idea, as I think I would of just got into all kinds of trouble if I would of tried it.

I have an appointment tomorrow with the Council. Basically I've looked online and I think technically because I am not working, have a young child and I am involuntarily being made homeless they should give me somewhere. Is there any chance that they won't find me anywhere in time?

OP posts:

Bagpussss · 03/03/2014 20:28

Have you been served a Section 21?, you have two months until the landlord can apply to the court for possession. Some councils wont consider you homeless until a possession order has been granted, and they often advise you to stay put until the bailiffs are called, then you could be considered for housing ;)

Beastofburden · 03/03/2014 20:33

That's burning your bridges,though. Fine if the OP never needs to rent privately again. But she will not pass any kind of reference check in the future, if the LL has to call in the bailiffs.

And again, poor bloody landlord, all s/he wants is their house back. Not fair to make them go two months with no rental and have to call in (and pay for) bailiffs and the court.

It's as if landlords aren't people.

Pigsmummy · 03/03/2014 20:35

I know people that were turned down rental properties as they had no proof of earnings. Don't risk it.

PublicEnemyNumeroUno · 03/03/2014 20:37

If you're being turfed out (so to speak) have a child and no job and nowhere to go you will be classed as high priority on the council list surely? However, i think most places you can bid on council houses.

VelvetGecko · 03/03/2014 20:39

It depends entirely on the agency/Landlord.
I have never been asked for proof of income, although I gather that is quite rare.
I think references are more important, circumstances change. During my current tenancy of over 3 years I have been self employed, a student, unemployed albeit briefly and am now employed and a student. My LL really couldn't care as long as the rent is paid.
Do you have anyone who could be guarantor as that's a common requirement for self employed tenants.

soundevenfruity · 03/03/2014 20:44

Friend of a friend got their council accommodation like this. They used to rent privately a 1 bedroom flat for a family of 4. They had to be evicted, spent a couple of weeks in B&b which was almost outside of London, and are now waiting for a permanent council house in a 3 bedroom flat in the same borough where they rented. I don't think there is a central database for tenants so nobody needs to know. I am not sure if it affects your credit rating though. More and more services (including utility companies) hook up to that.

KirjavaTheCat · 03/03/2014 20:45

Go down the council route, but they'll ask you to look for private let accommodation in the meantime. I don't know where you are but private landlords who accept 'dss' are like gold dust, so good luck with that. The council will know how difficult it is though, so don't worry. Hopefully they can find you something, even if it's a tiny apartment as temporary housing - you won't be homeless.

dontcry · 03/03/2014 22:36

My experience comes from the other side, as a landlord.I have used various letting agencies and yes they may ask for proof of income and references, but IME they have no inclination to question even the most blatant lies and falsifications.

BumpyGrindy · 03/03/2014 23:01

OP....most councils have a thing called a secure deposit scheme where they will find you a house...they have a list of private landlords on the scheme...the council basically pay your deposit and help you sort the paperwork

Call your housing dept tomorrow and call back daily...they will want proof of your notice to quit...if you don't have that then get it fast.

They also want proof of income and benefits. There IS help other than the council housing list which you're right...is overcrowded. Ask me if you ned help...I've just gone through similar.x

BumpyGrindy · 03/03/2014 23:03

They won't see you on the street OP...most councils keep "some" properties back for those in dire need and if not, they will get you a private landlord.

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