Landlord not happy that I’m applying for Housing Benefit

[Worriedfortheroofovermyhead]

I told my Landlord that I had applied for Housing Benefit and they made it clear that they are not happy about, so I’m worried about my tenancy. They told me that they had not let to someone on Housing Benefit before and did not intend to going forward. I think I need to talk to someone at Shelter, but any further advice would be helpful as I’m feeling very anxious about the situation.

Yes, I can see that it doesn’t look good to the Landlord, however, these are unprecedented times, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that some people are having a rough time financially.

I’ve had a lot of problems with the flat, so I’ve not been that impressed myself with how things are going.

Problems are irrelevant. You agreed to pay rent that was due in a set date and did not do that. (I might now come across it, but I am v. Pro tenant, but you need to separate things) is the property uninhabitable? What are the issues?

I’ve paid two months rent and a deposit. I don’t have anyone that could be a guarantor, but I did have a friend who had offered to help me if I had any problems with my rent, but her circumstances have changed recently, so I can’t ask her to help at the moment.

Have you been furloughed, op? I presume you've had a very recent change in circumstances?

I mentioned the issues because someone said that the LL would not be happy about the situation and I just wanted to point out that I’ve not had the easiest time with this flat myself. I do wonder if the fact that I had reported problems to the LL has affected our relationship. The problems include a leak, faulty white goods, a problem with the toilet and mice.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/education-51642316

It’s now considered discrimination if your landlord refuses to rent to you solely because you claim benefits. Communicate in writing or text and keep proof.

The deposit wouldn’t count as rent so your a month behind?

Yes this is pain in the arse but for now she will just have to make do with social funding. Will it cover it? You may have to find yourself some where else though if she doesn’t want to continue

I’ve had health related problems recently. The LL does not know this and, particularly after our recent contact, I’m not inclined to tell them. I don’t think it would make any difference. I also have some money coming to me, but this has been delayed.

I’m two weeks behind. If there is a shortfall between my rent and HB I will be able to make it up with the money I am due to recieve.

They'll have to take that up with the lenders/insurance guys, mummy203
Some people's mortgages explicitly prohibit this.

I appreciate there have been issues but a leak isn't the landlords fault, nor is white goods not working ( landlord does not need to provide these, nor can they guarantee they are working if they dont know if there is an issue, same with toilet and mice. All issues that could occur when you buy too)

To the pp that said its discrimination. You can evict with no fault s21 so no need to mention benefits it could be for any reason

They can’t ask you to leave at the moment anyway

Apply for housing benefit. Ask for it backdated to when your situation changed (worth asking) ask for an advance. get up to date with rent ASAP. If you want to stay that is? Maybe a good time to look at other options if you have any, good luck 🤞🏻

Actually I discovered all of the problems as soon as I moved in, so I do feel that the flat was substandard from the beginning. Even if you disagree that this was the case, it’s definitely not my fault that I had to report the problems, though I feel the LL may have taken umbrage.

Just to clarify, I do think that the repairs and overdue rent are separate issues, I’m just not sure if the LL is treating them as such.

Landlords must give 3 months notice to seek possession through court. It's not wiped off totally. You need to be properly informed

Yes they can give section 21 for no reason but I don’t think they can during the pandemic anyway if she’s up to date with rent quickly and The only reason your her being given notice is claiming housing benefit it’s discrimination like in the article. This is why tenant should do things in writing and get up to date with rent.

I appreciate the issues are there, but they arent unique to renting. There are teething issues when you move anywhere and the landlord needs to separate the issues too! I'm just saying they arent things they may have been aware of. They arent valid reasons to not pay rent if they went down that route

They don't need to be happy about it as long as you don't end up in rent arrears they can't put you out.

Unfortunately for OP this isn't true. Many LL insurance policies won't cover HB, same with mortgages so it may not been down to the LL themselves (although in this case it seems it may be) therefore they can evict the tenant. Although right now I believe they need to give at least 3 months notice, although from what you've said it sounds as though this isn't because of Coronavirus but because of health reasons so the pandemic is irrelevant to be honest as this would have happened regardless.

Whether you agree or don't agree, unfortunately the LL has every right to put you out. I think it's best to try and talk to him and persuade him to give you a chance with the HB. Failing that you will need to look for somewhere else to live that does accept HB.

Although just a question, have you known for a while that you're expecting HB but just let the LL know now or is this a sudden change and you've let the LL know as soon as you could? Just asking because this may have annoyed them slightly if you applied for it before your rent was due say but only just told them now, once it's 2 weeks late, in which case they might not have taken too well to that.

@mummy203 you dont give a reason for s21 which is why you couldn't argue that, you dont mention anything, just serve it. I dont see how you prove discrimination when the article is about people applying for property not already in one. S8 you do need a valid reason.

I’ve not paid the rent because I do not have it at present. I am not withholding rent because there are repairs. If I were, I’d tell the LL that was the case in order to get the work completed.

I actually hate being behind with my bills. Owing money makes me anxious, so to have a bad reaction off the LL has really unsettled me.

Actually the lockdown has affected me financially for a number of reasons, delays in getting money due to me, support issues that are increasing my expenditure etc.

I told the LL my rent would be late just before it was due. I only just mentioned Housing Benefit to them as I was advised to give them more information... I’m thinking that was a mistake now.

@Worriedfortheroofovermyhead I didn't mean that lockdown wouldn't have affected you, what I meant is regardless of the pandemic you would still be in the situation of needing to apply for HB as it's relating to health conditions rather than for example furlough or redundancy due to Covid.

Regardless with what happens with this, you shouldn't be made to feel anxious about talking to your LL about issues/rent problems, so if I was you I would consider moving as soon as you're in a position to anyway to ease that anxiety, there are loads of good LLs out there willing to help (speaking on personal experience as both a LL and a tenant)

I’ve not even had a chance to settle here, so the idea of having to move again so soon fills me with dread. Plus I don’t have another deposit and I don’t have money to cover moving costs. I was worried about not getting Housing Benefit, but even if I get it there’s going to be a problem.

OP,

Is it housing benefit or UC you've applied for?

Is it housing benefit or UC you've applied for?

I was wondering that. OP, HB can only be claimed in specific circumstances. Have you checked you can make a new claim for HB? Most people have to make a UC claim to get housing costs.