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.

I did offer references to the LL, but she did not want to see them. It will possibly surprise some people, but my references are actually good, because until my torrent of bad luck recently, I have always managed to keep on top of things financially.

I’m on an interruption, so I’m not currently getting any student income.

I found the flat online, then viewed it, then signed a lease.

Nobody is saying otherwise.

But you appear to be drip feeding.

Have you checked I'd your deposit is in one of the three tenancy deposit schemes?

Did you meet the LL when you viewed the property?

Bit why should your landlord now get behind with mortgage payments or other payments that they were expecting to pay from the rent you give them?
Most landlords are using rent as an income sometimes their only income.
You not paying may mean that they get behind with payments.
Not fair.

I’m only trying to answer questions, I’m not trying to drip feed. I’m even answering questions that I don’t think are all that relevant.

My deposit is in a deposit scheme and I have met the LL.

Okay. You found it online.

LL did not ask for proof of affordability or references. The property, from what you have said is in need of some repairs.

This all sounds somewhat of a pickle.

Did the LL not ask how you were going to pay your rent?

I’m not suggesting that my LL should get behind with any possible mortgage payments. I’ve repeatedly said that I will pay as soon as possible. At the moment it seems like HB is an option for me and she has a problem with having a tenant on HB.

LL just said, here you go, you can rent my house without references or proof of income, gave you an agreement and a set of keys?

The LL said something along the lines of going on her gut feeling about people, which surprised me too. I did mention a little of my circumstances and she was happy with that.

Do you have a Tenancy Agreement and were you notified of your deposit by whichever Company holds it ?

Thank you, OP. Apologies for firing questions at you.

The only LL I'm aware of that would rent a property based on a fut feeling would make me suspicious of sub-letting arrangements.

That would explain perhaps why she is unhappy with a housing benefit tenant.

Or it could be completely innocent and she may well just be a very flexible landlord on accepting people at face value.

In any event, you will need a conversation with her.

Did she also say something along the lines of proof of income or references, op? Hard to believe if not.

Yes, I have a tenancy agreement and the rent deposit company emailed me to confirm that the rent had been deposited.

I offered her references and she didn’t want to see them. I did mention that I had some money due to me, which is true, and she didn’t ask any further questions.

It does seem that she is simply the kind of person that takes people on face value.

Today 19:01 Worriedfortheroofovermyhead

I’m not suggesting that my LL should get behind with any possible mortgage payments. I’ve repeatedly said that I will pay as soon as possible. At the moment it seems like HB is an option for me and she has a problem with having a tenant on HB.

But your landlord may already be late paying because you havent paid.
What do you expect the landlord to do?
Tell their mortgage lender ‘oo sorry i dont have any money now to pay the mortgage. Maybe in a week or two? Or three?’

Problem is you are already overdue with the rent so it doesn't reflect well on you and you don't in fact know when you'll be able to pay her?

There is a reason why lots of landlords don't accept tenants on HB because a lot of the times it doesn't end well for them - it could take a while for you to get the payment and then you've got to consciously prioritise her payment over everything else

You've only been in the property a couple of months and this makes it look like you weren't truthful about your ability to pay

When do you expect to be able to pay her?

Well, I don’t actually think that she would be unable to afford any possible mortgage payments, but I also think that doesn’t excuse the fact that my rent is overdue.

I’m certain that I’m not the first tenant to get behind with the rent, especially in the current climate. The current climate means that there is extra help available to tenants and landlords.

I did not expect her to be annoyed about me applying for HB. HB is designed to help people who cannot currently afford their rent, like me, and this also ensures the LL is not left without their income.

Well, whether she needs it or just wants it - it's her house and she's in the driving seat.

This. Telling someone after the event that you can't pay your rent isn't very good..

Your LL will likely have valid reasons for having an issue with HB. As PP have said, it could well invalidate their mortgage or insurances. Please dont assume they aren't mortgaged, because they could well be.

If you'd let them know before the rent was overdue then they could have made arrangements, requested a mortgage payment holiday etc but you've not done that.

I know generally speaking on MN landlords are the most evil people in the world, and that tenants are apparently justified in failing to pay their rent, trashing the property 'because, no reason' however I do have to say I am gobsmacked that a landlord would take on a tenant without even checking where your income was coming from....

Let's hope your HB comes through quickly and you bring your rent up to date ASAP to show your Landlord they can trust you as a tenant otherwise I cant see any trust being built here..

I agree that getting HB initially can mean a delay and I’m sure the current situation has led to longer delays. Once you get HB it is a very stable payment though.

Without HB, or borrowing from elsewhere, it will be ten days before I can pay the rent.

I did tell her I couldn’t pay before the rent was due, not after.

The issue though is that you can't not pay due to the pandemic and therefore is a short term issue for which a mortgage holiday of 3 months can be passed on to you - you are a student and off sick with presumably no likely return to work date which could be long term and therefore doesn't make you the most reliable tenant?

Without HB, or borrowing from elsewhere, it will be ten days before I can pay the rent.

By which point you will also be needing to pay for End of May so will you be able to afford to pay April and May together? Because otherwise you will always be in arrears to your landlord?

If she hasn't applied for a Covid related mortgage holiday because you haven't previously informed her you might be affected this doesn't leave any time for her to be able to request and be granted a mortgage holiday before the next payment goes out the bank so you've stitched her up really....

Actually the money I am due has been delayed because of the pandemic and it would, hopefully, be enough to pay my rent until I’m back on feet.

I would also say that if I get HB this would be a reliable payment.

Either way, I’m here now and I’m keen to get up to date with payments, but my LL isn’t happy to rent to me if I’m on HB.