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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's disgusting the amount of landlords who won't accept DSS?

655 replies

7hup · 22/01/2019 16:23

My friend is 36 and just been kicked out by her boyfriend because she had a mental breakdown and multiple suicide attempts .

She's just been released from hospital and has been given a B&B room as temporary accommodation.

She has to claim universal credit as she is in no fit state to work.

Council said if she can find private housing they will cover her first month's rent/deposit/fees.

No where takes housing benefit.

It's unfair.

There's no council accommodation and no private landlords will accept it.

She's 36. No children. No pets. Doesn't drink. Doesn't smoke. Is quiet and polite. Keeps to herself. Clean and tidy. She just needs a home :(

Its working people too. My Dsis has a kid and can't move out of my mums because she works only 16 hours because of her son so would receive housing benefit. So she can't move either.

Even on Spareroom. Co. UK in our area there are 674 rooms.

ONE takes DSS. And is dou le the price of similar rooms

It's so unfair :(

OP posts:
lalalalyra · 22/01/2019 16:48

Most of the time it's because the mortgage or insurer won't allow it. Or because the LL has had a bad experience - I won't let to smokers now because of a bad experience with two so it's no different.

Unfortunately at the moment the changes to the benefits system make it even more unlikely people will take the risk as the wait for claimants just leaves them absolutely skint.

Your friend also needs to speak to LL's. Some will take it, but just won't advertise it. Word of mouth is the best way to find a LL who'll take it, or who will be able to tell you of someone who does.

Houseonahill · 22/01/2019 16:49

icannotremember im guessing because a care home costs thousands of pounds a month and if he's there for 10 years (for example) the money would run out?

OftenHangry · 22/01/2019 16:49

I'm just going to put it out there. If you need a mortgage to be a landlord, you can't afford to be a landlord.
Hmm
Yeah. And if you need a business loan to open a business, you can't afford to have a business..
BS...

wink1970 · 22/01/2019 16:49

I don't accept DSS as after the change in payments, when a 9-year-stable tenant suddenly stopped paying her rent. For 9 years her rent came direct, we looked after the property and liked her being there; instantly after the change, she pocketed the cash & it took a lot of money and time to get her out. So I'm afraid I took a decision; one bad eggs spoiled it for the others.

Judge me all you want, it's a business.

Yours, Wink, Elitist Cunt

HelenaDove · 22/01/2019 16:49

"Charities like Shelter may be able to help her find suitable accommodation, but in her current circumstances with having no children etc I see nothing wrong with a roof over her head in a B&B."

Yeah OP those who havent got living proof that they have had sex without contraception dont matter dontcha know! Hmm

But when it comes to childfree ppl doing the shitty shifts on bank holidays suddenly the childfree person is then expected to bend over backwards for SOME parents.

Seline · 22/01/2019 16:50

Often it's driving landlords to leave properties in awful states and ruining the market for first time buyers

kenandbarbie · 22/01/2019 16:50

Why doesn't he sell it and use the money gained to fund his care

Why should he? He might want to leave it to his grandchildren, he might hope to return to it one day. It's not up to him to provide social housing with his own house Hmm

AbsentmindedWoman · 22/01/2019 16:51

Things need to change at policy level, so that people who need housing benefit don't end up with nowhere to live. But there is no drive to change that at the moment. Maybe in time with a different government, things will change - like indirect discrimination via mortgage insurance, or inflammatory policies like councils being able to chase landlords for overpayment of housing benefit.

It's not the 'fault' of landlords - they're just operating within the system we're in.

It's all shit and we need more social housing.

Deadbudgie · 22/01/2019 16:51

Ooh blimey, as many people have said Mortages and insurance often stipulates that no DSS is allowed.

As sad as your friends situation sounds landlords are operating a business not a social enterprise. Very often they only make minimal profit.

Your anger is misplaced - try aiming it at the council who should be in a position to house people, and most plausibly at the husband who threw his disabled wife out. Also all the people who bought their council houses at knock down rates.

OftenHangry · 22/01/2019 16:52

Bit out there, but. Is it still worth it being LL? I know it's not a lots of money, but I saw there was tax changes etc. We have bit of savings and we were considering becoming part of the elitist cunts club.

Drookit · 22/01/2019 16:52

If a tenant gets good references from previous landlord/letting agent shouldn't that sway another landlord/letting agent in their favour?

TulipsInbloom1 · 22/01/2019 16:53

The real problem here is lack of council housing. Can she look outside of her borough?

Shallishanti123 · 22/01/2019 16:53

I was going to suggest that she speak with landlords directly and explain the situation, but I see that it may be out of their hands.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 22/01/2019 16:53

Yabu. Dh flat was trashed by a dss tenant. Dh got no rent for over a year. When the tenant was eventually evicted he moved out only after after ripping out the bathroom, kitchen, floorboards. And then he crapped everywhere. Nice.

Never again.

AnyFucker · 22/01/2019 16:54

Elitist cunt here who was going to respond to your post sympathetically.

But your agenda is showing so you can stuff it.

ZogTheOrangeDragon · 22/01/2019 16:54

I'm just going to put it out there. If you need a mortgage to be a landlord, you can't afford to be a landlord.

Some landlords don’t buy with the intention of renting out but end up having to do so due to unexpected circumstances. I imagine Brexit’s impact on the housing market will see an increase in this where people cannot afford to sell (negative equity) but need to move away for their careers.

Plabom · 22/01/2019 16:55

Seline I understand your personal frustrations, but sadly it's not a leap to expect less risk from someone with a solid, non-complicated employment history.

I never rent to anyone without a full credit check, employer checks, references and a solid rental history.

But my rents are £100 lower than average, the houses have new facilities and are maintained incredibly well. I'm a good landlord so I want good tenants. A solid history is all I have to go on, without having a crystal ball.

In your case as you described though I would have had very few worries as you have valid reasons for your situation, so I'm sad you had trouble finding somewhere. I hope all is well now?

C8H10N4O2 · 22/01/2019 16:55

Historically DSS have been nightmare tenants so people don't take them anymore

Please cite sources.

CoastalLife · 22/01/2019 16:55

I hate this stereotype that private landlords are greedy and uncaring. Pensions are shite nowadays. Savings are dismal. Property investment is the one of the only options a lot of people really have when it comes to saving for their future or that of their children. I absolutely agree that it's not a sustainable system and I think it's disgraceful that a minority of people have no qualms about stockpiling dozens or hundreds or even thousands of properties, but we need alternatives so that normal people can build financial security for themselves.

Seline · 22/01/2019 16:55

Through What does that have to do with him being DSS?

"A black tennant trashed my flat. Never again."

Still sound okay?

CrispbuttyNo1 · 22/01/2019 16:55

I think it also depends on the area you live in too. I’m in the south west now and it is much easier to get a rental that will allow dss tenants.

icannotremember · 22/01/2019 16:56

Most people in receipt of HB are also in employment, it's very sad that people assume otherwise.

lalalalyra · 22/01/2019 16:56

If a tenant gets good references from previous landlord/letting agent shouldn't that sway another landlord/letting agent in their favour?

The best thing they could do is find a LL who doesn't use a letting agent. LA's are terrfied of housing benefit in my experience.

Also LL's who don't use agents are more likely to meet potential tenants themselves and then it gives the tenant a better chance of getting on with the LL.

Of all the other LL's I know who accept HB (you kinda get to know quickly locally I've found) none of us use agents.

CherryPavlova · 22/01/2019 16:57

We wouldn’t take a tenant who was in receipt of housing benefit. Experience has taught us they may be less than ideal tenants and it’s less hassle to have tenants who are in secure well paid employment.

TheBigBangRocks · 22/01/2019 16:58

Insurance companies quite often state no DSS tenants and they will be basing on claims etc. If there was no issue with DSS they wouldn't exclude them.

It's a landlords biggest asset, they can let to who they want and are entitled to want tenants who are less likely to cause damage, less wear and tear as out all day at work etc.

Choosing to work part time and then moaning when you can't get a rental on your income without state help can easily be corrected by some lifestyle changes if they really want their own home.