To think landlords are more likely to accept benefits now?

[chubbycheeks26]

Given then current situation and many families being forced on to benefits?

Or even mortgages and insurance policies allowing it? Could rents rise? All seems like it could be a complicated mess. They'll have a tough time renting to just keywords with stable jobs.

@Puzzledandpissedoff I am under the impression that the claimant/tenant is liable as its an overpayment to them not the landlord.

I am training and won't have a well paid job for a few years. I have to top up my very low wages with Universal Credit. However, I offered a guarantor, 6 months rent in advance and pointed out that my work, though just above minimum wage, was in the Public Sector and was (currently) at least a reliable source of income.

Guarantor was taken up and I was lucky enough to get a place.

So it seems, chubbycheeks26 - as mentioned in my last post, this was based on incorrect info which I got from here
However as said, it's still the case that "overpayments" can be recovered from the LL where the HB has been paid to them ...

england.shelter.org.uk/legal/benefits/housing_benefit/overpayments_of_housing_benefit

As benefits are paid to the claimant not landlord, as long as tenant pays on time surely the LL would not need/find out, it would only be if there were arrears they would possibly find out? How would they find out?

@Gotaprettypup when they do checks prior to moving in.

@Definitelynotlazy hard isn't it! I wouldn't be getting anywhere if it wasn't for my mum being a guarantor!

@Puzzledandpissedoff that's such a shame landlords shouldn't be penalised

[quote chubbycheeks26]@Puzzledandpissedoff that's such a shame landlords shouldn't be penalised [/quote]
No they shouldn't, they should be able to rent their property out to anyone they want.

@chubbycheeks26 no I don't believe everyone on benefits is like that at all, I just got unlucky
If it was easier to get landlord insurance and mortgages including tenants on benefits it would help!

@Daisysflowers - if a tenants circumstances change they are legally obliged to advise their landlord. I don't doubt many don't and I can understand why; but it could invalidate my insurance and their tenancy agreement

they should be able to rent their property out to anyone they want

I agree, and conversely tenants should have access to a decent choice of fairly priced accommodation

But this is the ideal, and because people are various - and especially at a time of housing pressures - sweeping judgements can easily take the place of calm thought and sensible policy

@jackstini I have to admit, if I moved in when I wasn't on benefits and then ended up on them I don't think I'd say anything in fear of eviction I'd just make sure they got their money. However it's nice that already being on benefits means the landlord is already aware and I can't hide it. I suppose my guarantor helps.

I’m a tenant (single mum, 2 children) and I’m so grateful my landlord accepted me. Especially as when I viewed the house, just after lockdown 1 sort of ended, I was the 12th person to view it!
My only incoming is universal credit, plus child maintenance. Luckily my child maintenance is sizeable and I had my mum for a guarantor.

@chubbycheeks26

Given then current situation and many families being forced on to benefits?

Or even mortgages and insurance policies allowing it? Could rents rise? All seems like it could be a complicated mess. They'll have a tough time renting to just keywords with stable jobs.

I think landlords will be spending most of the next year carrying out evictions and trying to recover lost rent etc

@CatFaceCats one thing I'm lacking from my daughter's father is child maintenance! Like you though, I am so grateful to get somewhere with my mum a guarantor I couldn't mess it up and let the landlord down!

We was renting up until 2 weeks ago(had to give it up and move into my parents due to job lose because of covid) we had to start claiming UC in the summer, informed the LL, and heard nothing, so assumed it was ok, but when we moved in, she didnt want anyone that was claiming!

@Sinful8 perhaps if they were able to take benefit tenants then they wouldn't be having the issue of people with less than secure incomes in less than secure jobs that they've lost during the pandemic.

@Bookriddle very honest of you but your honesty cost you your home and that's not something I'd risk 🙈

@Bookriddle also I'm sorry to hear about your job loss, must be very stressful and I hope things pick up for you soon.

@chubbycheeks26

We didnt leave because she didnt want anyone with benefits, we simply couldnt afford the rent any longer because i had to take a 40% pay cut when i got made redundant, i took one of the first jobs i could find!

@Bookriddle oh okay! That makes sense! I'm sorry covid cost your job and your home.

This is interesting.
We were given notice on our private rent in September 2020.
6 months notice.
We had been looking but kept getting knocked back as I've just gone on mat leave so my pay has dropped, and my OH doesn't work at the moment, stay at home dad, and were on UC.
Which we have been on a year and half, the LL hasnt known this and we've still paid out rent every month.

Then last week, applied for a property, was honest with them. And within the hour the estate agent had called back to say landlady was happy to have us, just need a guarantor.
Did say, I wonder if it's to do with more people being on UC now with covid.

I was in the position of looking for a rental property whilst claiming UC. We did have some knockbacks where insurance was given as the reason. Luckily we have found a house but had to have my mum as a guarantor and also pay 3 months rent upfront.

It's so hard, we've never missed a rent payment but I can see that if some landlords have had bad experiences they would be wary.

I've not had to claim UC before but my OH being furloughed, me working part time, and huge nursery fees made it inevitable.

Also I've had to give my landlords details as part of my UC, does everyone not need to do that? I didn't think there was a way to do it without making the LL aware?

@Thattwatoverthere I'm glad you found somewhere! I've never had to fill in landlord details? Or I may have but they don't contact them unless they suspect fraud. I can't remember. They usually just ask for a tenancy agreement 😊

@Pollydoll110 I'm glad you found somewhere! I imagine it is partly due to the huge rise in UC claims!

Landlords wanted benefits to no longer be paid direct to them because it meant it was taken directly back if the claim was deemed fraudulent. And now landlords complain that tenants getting Housing Benefit/Universal Credit don't pay their rent.

Boo fucking hoo.