Landlords refusing to take benefits recipients as tenants

[sarahquilt]

It's in the Guardian about major landlords refusing to take on people on benefits due to increasing levels of arrears - pretty controversial!

I'm sure you're right, handcream.

[does twirly sign]

i have found another flat! the LL will take HB as they go through HomeLet. i have an IVA but with no defaults, or any CCJs so will hopefully go through no problem. i checked my credit rating and since the IVA is running no problem my credit rating is actually 'Fair' - so with a guarantor i should be home free. the only condition is that i take out tenants insurance through HomeLet but that's quoted at a tenner a month so is doable.

fingers crossed now that with no problems i will move at the end of the month. HB doesn't cover the full rent but exH will pay the difference indefinitely. i'm planning on going to college in September if my health allows so will look for part-time work then so i can be independent.

exWife

Are they a national company do you know?

That's great news, exWife - hope it works out for you! HB rarely covers the entire rent these days - you'd be a long time waiting for somewhere that it did.

...and even if it does (yes!!! My rent is below the LHA!!!), Housing Benefit are much influenced by the moon (no surprise to anyone who's ever had to deal with them) and pay in 28-day cycles. Every private LL in the country (probably) expects payment monthly though, so for 11 months of the year my HB is £40 less than my rent- then, one month a year, I get 2 monthly payments.

I'm in a position where I have now managed to budget to cover this, but for anyone starting to receive HB, or in more precarious financial circumstances, it can be really difficult.

i got the flat through a letting agent - Northwood. they are fully geared up for HB tenants and it's been a really smooth process. they are national and i would recommend them.

just got to wait 3 weeks for the current tenant to move out (on the 26th) and for the deep clean to be done. the place is a shit tip but beautiful underneath the mess!

just need to go into battle with the council now re HB. i'm on the mortgage here and technically there is capital in the house, but as i am on an IVA husband has signed a form to say he will not sell to release any equity as it would go straight to my IVA. so, no capital or savings, but am wondering how long it will take the council to get their heads round this...

and, as the LHA doesn't cover the rent, once i am in i can apply for a discretionary hardship payment - as I am in the support group for ESA and i get DLA this might be a goer..

As a landlord I will not take HB claimants because if the claim fraudulently the council can claw the money back form me - easy target, too risky
I let to low paid reliable people who are working and not claiming HB, at less than the market rate so it is win-win - and have always had glowing references from them when they leave.