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Original poster

URGENT please need info renting a property to DHSS in 5 mins!

22 replies

Lmccrean · 22/08/2005 18:09

My parents are renting out there house and someone is coming to view it tonight. The person is DHSS. I always see "no dhss" on ads WHY?

Is there something I should worry about?

The guy seemed a bit weird - took two trys to get his surname and then he hesitated before saying "Jones" hmmm...

OP posts:

Spoo · 22/08/2005 18:16

I think it is because there is no 'income' and hence no guarantee the money will come in. Not sure though. I am a landlord and generally if your gut says no - it is probably right. Always follow up references! This guy does sound dogdy!

Trifle · 22/08/2005 18:18

Apparently if the DHSS find out his claim is fradulent and he shouldnt have been given benefits they will sue your parents for a refund of the monies paid. They also have a limit on what they will pay depending on the size of the property. I'm not sure what happens in case of a deposit. My BIL/SIL rented out their house to the DHSS and the tenant ran off with all their furniture. After a long struggle the DHSS finally compensated them but it was so much hassle they sold in the end. If your parents property is in a good area then it would be worth renting it privately. This guy already sounds dodgy, you have to evaluate whether it is worth the risk.

jampots · 22/08/2005 18:21

i also think some Councils arent very good at paying landlords on time eg. Birmingham is apparently not very prompt from what I hear - you do get it but not always on time

Original poster

Lmccrean · 22/08/2005 18:21

thanks guys . just to confirm -just cause dhss, dosent mean they are guaranteed their rent? what can parents ask for as proof ??

OP posts:

gigglinggoblin · 22/08/2005 18:28

i used to get housing benefit and chose to have the rent paid direct to landlord (it is the tenants choice if this happens). after a few months of waiting for rent to be sorted it was usually paid a month late as landlord wanted month in advance and they paid a month in arrears. i did pay a deposit but this was out of my own pocket, housing benefit didnt pay for it. i left the house in immaculate condition - not everyone on benefits is scum! (tho this guy does sound a bit dodgy)

LIZS · 22/08/2005 18:29

If they are relying on Housing benefit I think they won't know exactly how much they will get until they actually claim so potentially there may be a shortfall between HB and the market rent which they may not be able to meet. Also there are some local schemes run in association with councils/ymca etc whereby a fund guarantees a rent payment in case of default, but you don't get a deposit as such.

PeachyClair · 22/08/2005 18:35

That chap does sound dodgy with the name, I would ask for lots of references if you even consider it!

I think the no DSS thing is because rent is generally paid in arrears, sometimes it takes up to three months.

A lot of councils offer a deposit loan scheme, so that the tenant can put down a deposit. You should still ask for one, you might need it.

most people in DSSa ccomodation are great, and remember, it's often the only chance someone has to get a home, as there are so few council tyoe houses these days.

gigglinggoblin · 22/08/2005 18:35

lizs makes a good point, with my last house i had to have a housing officer come out to view the property before they would make a decision on amount they would pay. they refused to do this until i had moved in, and there was a shortfall (which i chose to pay myself but there is no guarantee everyone will). it also added a few weeks on to the wait for rent because it took ages for him to come, then he had to write report, submit report.....

Original poster

Lmccrean · 22/08/2005 18:44

in no way do i think people on housing benefits are scum...I get some of mine paid for my council flat. (10%, but better than nothing!)

the house isnt furnished, (as was intended for those who are waiting to move into their new house, after just selling their last one.) it has 5, potentially 6 bedrooms and 2 reception rooms, so it aint small...def think he is trying his luck

OP posts:

MarsLady · 22/08/2005 18:47

ooh is it near me?

gigglinggoblin · 22/08/2005 18:53

didnt mean you thought that, sorry if i caused offence!

really cant see him getting hb for something that size. he will probably get enough to pay for a bedsit for one person and be expected to make up the rest - which could mean he sneakily sublets the rest of the rooms to get the money. i think a lot of councils have a set amount they will pay for a single persons rent (and that is usually based on how much an average one person bedsit costs). dont think i would touch him with a barge pole

PeachyClair · 22/08/2005 18:55

He won't get it, in Somerset HB will only cover a three bed for a family with three kids, I know Mums with five kids in a three ved too, they assess meed and house size with very strict rules IME.

Um, I wopuldn't let him in- he's a nog o, and the name sounds false, for the sake of safety and security!

jenkins88 · 22/08/2005 19:10

I think there's something called a 'pre-determination of rent' that potential tenants can ask the Housing Benefit dept to provide. It might help your parents to find out if he is entitled to benefit and if so, whether HB will pay the full amount.

HTH

pesha · 22/08/2005 19:27

Yeah jenkins, thanks was trying to remember what it was called. Potential tenant fills out their bit landlord signs it then should get response within bout 2 weeks i think. But if hes just 1 bloke on his own then theyd only pay for 1 room and he does sound dodgy. But i wouldnt be put off housing benefit altogether, the last private place i rented on hb i had my mum go guarantor as they were unsure about taking hb.

Peachyclair are you in somerset then, whereabouts?

Original poster

Lmccrean · 22/08/2005 22:38

he turned up at half seven when i was leaving my mums house (parents built their house in back garden of the house they are renting) and the guy was there with 2 kids. Asked his name and he said xxx Smith...diff name than he gave earlier. I aske dif he had brought reference with him and he said no. I said we wanted to see references before taking anything further and to get back in touch when he had them. He yelled in my face that i was an f-ing tosser and left trailing the kids behind him..

lol (poor kids tho)

OP posts:

steffee · 22/08/2005 23:06

Yes, poor children. Looks like you made a lucky escape there!

Tortington · 22/08/2005 23:39

one to remember in the future is that direct payments is coming into force which means tenants will be responsible for paying their own rent not housing benefits.

PeachyClair · 23/08/2005 17:13

Hi Pesha

Currently away in Wales at Uni, originally from Bridgwater and spend a fair amount of time there and Ilminster (home of DH), esp. as involved with a carnival club in Ilminster (a kids one). 50-50 if we will return after Uni, is we do will be Ilminster.

Where are you from?

pesha · 23/08/2005 17:27

Ive moved around alot in the past but for the last 6 years ive been in yeovil. Been thinking about moving but all my family is around here and kids love seeing them. They make good babysitters too!

PeachyClair · 23/08/2005 17:38

Moving away from my family was hard, and the lack of babysitters- ouch!

Maybe will bribe a few Uni students.
I have a very good male friend who is doing teacher training in Bath, he'll do it for us I am sure if we need him.

We will be at Yeovil carnival (Rascals JCC), so keep an eye out for us and the kids- I'm the nutter dancing more than the kids, DH is the mad ptrofessor look alike with the electronics and my kids will be probably waving or sticking out there tongues to passing jusges!!!! LOL

pesha · 23/08/2005 17:50

Will definately keep an eye out for you, dd still sometimes talks about the carnival last year and has already been asking about this year and if she can go in the little pushchair and ds go in the big one like last year cos she never normally gets to go in a pushchair (she is nearly 5!). And the incredibly annoying music flashing light ball thingys that drove me absolutely mad!!

PeachyClair · 24/08/2005 08:42

Tee hee to the flashing light thingys! Dh designs the light systems on carnival floats, therefore all flashing lights annoy me by this time of year! If she stays keen, get her to jon us, we take from age three in Ilminster!!!

And if you get a chance to wander round the floats beforehand, ask for me and I'll get DH to let your kids sit on the float and have thir pics taken if you want?

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