I've lied to get a house

[harveyyspecter]

And now I'm up shit creek. Don't ask why I did it because I panicked and my mouth started moving before I engaged my brain.

I'm trying to rent a house but no one will accept that I'm on housing benefit and will be going to work next year when dd goes to nursery. So I had a viewing the other day and when they asked about work I said I'm going to work in January. This is partly true.

When she asked if I have a job to go to I said yes I have no idea why and now I'm in a mess!

I know I'm AIBU but help!!

I wouldn't worry; my DD is a single parent who receives HB but didn't admit it when she applied for a flat. HB paid direct to her and she has SO to LL. I think it is unfair to refuse to let to someone on HB.

Can you offer a guarantor?

Surely they can't expect references from a job you haven't started yet anyway? So that's crap. Do they mean a housing reference? The sort of tenant you'll be?

If this is a managed rental, it's pretty standard that you will be asked for a copy of bank statements for proof of income.

You and your child need somewhere to live - just fake the reference. Find a friend to do it for you. Don't feel guilty, the way the systems are set up make it impossible to find a home for people on HB.

I think it is unfair to refuse to let to someone on HB.

Take it up with the mortgage providers.

I suspect that by 'references' they want something from OP's employer to confirm that she actually has a job and confirmation of her income.

I sympathise, but bear in mind that it is probably a condition of the LL's insurance that they only rent to someone who is employed. Therefore by lying then you may be invalidating their insurance, which could cause problems if there was a situation where they needed to make a claim.

Fake a reference- really? I get the op is is a tough place but this is really not a good idea. Agents will apply for their own references anyway, they will approach the employer themselves and ask for a confirmation on the start date and salary.

They take up employer references - she said she had an employer from January so they'll want to check her salary, if she said she was starting a job then she's got an future employer to contact.

I would back out now because otherwise you'll lose your credit reference money as well as the holding deposit. You'll also need to use another letting agent as I doubt this one will trust you again - why did you do it?

I took the forms in today and said I can't get a reference because the date I return to work hasn't been confirmed yet. She said she will ask the landlord before she does the references but said that she preferred working tenants. I feel shit for lying but I was fed up of being rejected.

Dd has just turned 2 and yes she could have started nursery sooner but I haven't been well and have only just started feeling well enough to work. I could get a Christmas temp but the agent said that's no good because it needs to be permanent.

I have a guarantor.

Because I'm desperate Cotswold

tell them u have a gaurantor if thats acceptable

when my sister got hb they still contacted her ll to confirm she lived there so u cant really hide that either

Could you offer to pay an extra few months rent up front? That might give them the confidence in you to let their property to you.

Bless you OP. Needs must at times. YANBU

Have you worked previously? Could you get a reference from a previous employer maybe?

I sympathise, I have been in your position. Couldn't find anywhere to take me in a housing benefit claimant, I was doing a degree at the time. Eventually a friend who had their own business stepped in as referee. You may need to go to your local council and see if they can offer any support. Some landlords have lists of landlords willing to accept housing benefit.

you'll fail referencing. And if you are in a small town the word will get round.

landlords can sometimes rent to people on HB. Those whose insurance allows it and those who have not been burnt by the council advice 'stay until evicted'. Neither are your fault but lying is. If you have a guarantor why are you trying fraud?

'they' are not as stupid as MN likes to think.

Sorry, very spaced out tonight. I meant some COUNCILS have a list of landlords.

I don't think YABU

If they're prejudiced enough to change their mind about you after they've met you and talked to you, then why would they deserve full disclosure on all your details like that.

I really feel for you OP. I rent a house to someone on housing benefit. I can't see what difference it makes really.

As long as you can pay the rent then I don't see a problem. May be a lie,but it's so hard to find rented accommodation... I think as long as the landlord gets the rent then it's ok. Obviously the agent won't agree though as it's their job to make sure the tenant can afford the property. They should do a work reference before they give you the tenancy (which they obvs won't be able to do) so if they decide to let you have the property without one then that's fine I think.

What good would a reference from a previous employer do? The landlord will want proof of salary and bank statements.

You can't get work references because you haven't started yet? You can give a guarantor, though... as long as you really can pay..

Sorry to hear you have been ill, OP.

looby it will be a financial reference as well as a character one - a previous employer can't help with that, and the guarantor may be credit referenced as well.

Ring the agent on Monday and tell them you've changed your mind. Round here there are certain agents that are more likely to take housing benefit, try and find someone that will x

OP has a guarantor Cotswold