Can you get housing benefit paid to you rather than the landlord?

[MiaWallace]

Can you get housing benefits paid to you directly rather than to the landlord?

I'm planning to move to Exeter in September to go to University. My problem is that because of my dd I won't be able to move into halls.

I'm trying to find somewhere to rent privately but so many letting agents/landlords refuse to accept housing benefits.

I have enough saved for a deposit and a months rent in advance. So if I could get the housing benefits paid to me directly, I wouldn't even need to mention I'm claiming benefits (I will only be receiving housing benefits and child tax credits because of my student loan).

I know it's slightly dishonest and if I was asked directly I would admit that I was entitled to housing benefits. But if I can find somewhere without them needing to know, then I'm more than willing to go along with it.

I'm normally a very honest person but I'm getting desperate. I really don't want to miss out on my Uni place but that's what will happen if I can't find somewhere to live.

I have no idea what a BTL is but I live in Exeter and work at Exeter uni. There are a few of us mumsnetters around here - why don't you try posting on one of the Exeter/Devon threads in Meet-ups and see if anyone has any ideas?

Which subject are you going to study?

When we move here last year we found it hard to find somewhere to rent while living a long way away - but there are lots of informal adverts around, in newsagents etc, and they tend to be cheaper than the ones advertised on the web and in the local papers. Once you're here it's quite a lot easier to hear about things and find a place than it is at a distance.

Hi Fennel.

I'm going to be study Childhood and Youth studies at St Lukes.

I think I may have found a house. house thread

Do you know what Heavitree is like?

That's good about the house.

Heavitree is nice, we considered living there. Close to the centre and with a good park, swimming pool, etc.

Come and join the Exeter threads anyway, lots of us are new to the area. How old is your dd? Will she be going to the university nursery?

Just reading through the Exeter thread now Fennel. Dd had her second birthday a fortnight ago.

She will be going to Puffins nursery since it's closer to St Lukes than the Uni one. Shame though since it would have been nice to meet with some of the other student mums.