@Danniefrankie1989 When I found a letting agency and landlord willing to take me in it was just a case of paying the fees/deposit/first months rent etc and then moved in on the date the property became available.
@NorthernSpirit Although benefits are paid in arrears, you have to pay a month upfront so in theory that shouldn't make a difference. For example, I paid my first months rent up front. Applied for housing costs top up the day I moved in and by the time my next 2nd months rent is due I got my first payment, if you had to wait 2 months for a payment then yes you'd be a month behind, but you are paid from the day you move in a month later... But you've already paid a month in advance so rent is not late. My rent was paid when I moved in and it was paid a month later...... so I am not a month late.
Geez what kind of people are letting to with tenants not paying you the HB? That could happen with someone and their wages. Its being a good judge of character regardless of where there money comes from. And if they lose their job, claim and not tell you? How would you know?
Having said that, I understand the mortgage thing. My flat is owned outright by my landlord, and I think he knows he'll get his rent. I wouldn't put my daughter out on the street. My wages go in the same day as my UC, so you could say my wages lay my rent and UC (inc. Housing costs element) pays for everything, doesn't matter. It gets paid, on to me.
Housing costs on UC is only a top up for me that I will still be getting until I'm earning over £27k per year because I'm a lone parent. So are you telling me that someone who earns £25k a year is a high risk tenant because their earnings are topped up? Now with UC benefits including child/working tax credits are all rolled in to one so housing costs are automatically added if you have them, you don't pick and choose what you apply for. Where as when they were all separate you wouldn't apply for HB earning that. You'd just apply for tax credits etc.
@KlutzyDraconequus Oh without a doubt, I wouldn't have been able to rent anywhere without my lovely mother as a guarantor!