To think these potential tenants don’t add up and suspect benefit fraud

[ChocoLeibnizBiscuits]

I know mumsnet hates landlords but I have unexpectedly found myself one.

I received tenant reference checks through and the applicant has had over £40k in this bank account for over 6 months however they have also been receiving almost £1000 a month in universal credit. I’m not at expert but I know how difficult it is to get UC and a quick google shows you won’t get any if you have over £16k in savings.

they also wanted to pay 6months up front.

I feel mean rejecting them
but something doesn’t add up does it?

You are right to go with your gut instinct. I didn’t when I let my house to a couple I wasn’t that keen on and they were dreadful people. I learned a hard lesson!

The only rent upfront which would not ring alarm bells are new-ish immigrants (because we have no credit file...) and self employed. Anything else suggests, as pp said, poor credit history.
And yes, the amounts are something....

Maybe mn demographics are changing.
So many people here are adamant fraud is minimal, but bloody hell. It isn't from my experience 😳 And no, I am not some terrible person mot wanting people have safety nets. But gosh did I meet quite some number of people quite openly taking a piss

What’s your issue though? We’re going through a cost of living crisis off the back of a global pandemic. Record high numbers of people are claiming universal credit. It’s a major public service. Of course people are going to talk about it. They’re allowed to after all. It’s no different from coming across multiple threads referencing the NHS as many posters here will cross paths with these services

Above was to @palygold

Your post suggests that you consider potential tenants as the lowest form of life !
It actually really upsets me to think that there are so many people desperate for a roof over their head and they have people like you to deal with!
Thankfully my daughters landlady is absolutely lovely,sent her flowers when she moved in ,cuddly bear for her daughter and let my grandchild choose the colour of her room. And guess what …my daughter has looked after the flat like a palace because she appreciates the kindness from the landlady !

What’s your issue though?

No issue. An observation.

Was the entire long paragraph for me based on my one line post about it.

I know if you get a pay out it's disregarded for a length of time. Perhaps this person had an accident and it's using it too help pay for rent up front?

We are a disabled household that relies on benefits and we offer 6 months rent up front because we do not have a guarantor, so most landlords will accept these 6 months up front in lieu of a guarantor.

Obviously they could be committing fraud, if you believe they are you can report them to the benefit fraud helpline.

Go with your gut, once they're in you'll be stuck with them

Not true . How did you come to that assumption?!🤔

Eww. You’re a stink head if you have this attitude. I really hope you never become my landlord you greedy toad

😂😂😂 suuuuure

I live just outside of Bradford. When someone here does that, it's usually for unsavoury things. Weed growers, traffickers, dealers. I hate it here.

I say that as someone who uses small amounts of weed edibles to manage pain because my prescription pain meds don't help much now.

I think you’re right to be wary, honestly. Aside from the savings:UC mismatch - what could potentially happen after the six months paid is up? Are you going to have to fight them to start paying?

I find it strange how many landlords profit at the expense of tax payers as they receive housing benefit for some tenants but look down their noses at same tenants for being on benefits . The housing situation in this country is a joke and while I voted YANBU some of the snotty responses on this thread tenants make me hope some of you come off your high horses one day . Loads of people can’t get on the property ladder because buy to let landlords snapped up ex council properties which have sold for silly money , usually rent to poor souls who don’t have the means to save for a deposit for a mortgage because they’re too busy paying extortionate rent or trapped on benefits .

They will not be eligible for any help from Universal Credit if they have savings or any other capital over £16,000.

Are they a couple? Have they disclosed if it is a joint UC claim?

If they were not previously living together so no joint finances and are wanting to rent your place together now if 'may' be legitimate.

Check if they have separate addresses currently. If not sounds like fraud and you'd be best to avoid.

How did a reference check reveal this much info?

did you specifically ask and get bank statements as an Experian etc check wouldn’t reveal this.

Seems incredibly intrusive

They could be receiving PIP. no savings limit for that. Also they might have received a back payment from PIP to get that money (although that would be a hell of a wait)

Also its recommend if you can afford it, if you are on benefits to pay for 6 months upfront, that way you have the opportunity to prove you are reliable and hopefully have a long term let

So, based on those two things alone, I might not reject them, but ultimately if you dont feel right letting to them, you dont have to

It’s a parent and child. The child is an adult but still a teenager with no income of their own so it is the parent’s income they’d be using.

@Notwavingbutsignalling i was sent through a reference report by the estate agents. There are t bank statements but it shows what the highest and lowest bank balance has been for several months and what money is paid into the accounts on a recurring basis. This showed UC payments going in.

Always go with a double income couple rather than a single person otherwise you're up shit creek if they lose their job or fall seriously ill.

Wow - so single people shouldn't be allowed to rent a place to live? For what it's worth, I am single, and was unemployed when I rented the flat I am currently in. I'm now working part-time and if I lost my job or fell ill I have money in the bank to cover the rent. However, according to you, no-one should rent to me!

Fishy. I would not rent to someone who in effect has unexplained income but is on benefits.

Your flat could well be repurposed for something other than domestic purposes

I'm a LL and I would not rent to anyone I suspected of claiming benefits they are not entitled to. I'd always choose a couple where both work as first choice. I don't mind those who get top ups by UC but I like people who work. Kids ok, one smallish dog or a couple of cats ok. I ask to see 3 payslips and reference from previous LL if they have one. I also pay to have the EA run them through a credit check to pick up CCJ's. I often rent to family and friends of current tenants.

Wow the naïveté here!!!! What you fail to understand about private renting is that for EVERY application even couples on £60k+, a Guarantor earning 3 times the rent, is required! If the property is £1.5kpm that means you need a guarantor that is MINTED! This is a requirement up & down the country now and they don't usually accept guarantors who are retired, so parents are often ruled out. So everyone who doesn't have a minted & kind enough sibling/mate willing to guarantor, you have NO CHOICE but to bypass the guarantor requirement by paying the full initial tenancy term up front. Initial tenancies are almost always 6 months