Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Renting... No DSS?

55 replies

inkpaperblotts · 02/05/2018 14:30

I understand what DSS is, Im not 100% sure we come under it and if we do, if landlords would consider us anyway.

We have a toddler and have been living in this property for well over a year now. My partner has a job that pays more so we're looking for somewhere with a little more room as this place is pretty small, plus we want to leave the current town we're in. We would be getting a top up from the housing benefit to pay rent, so would that landlords still say no?

Can we pursuade them to say yes if we get a good reference from the current owners of this place (Yarlington), as we've always been on time with the rent and paid in full every time, despite being on benefits previously? The rent was paid to us and then we paid it over to Yarlington.

OP posts:

Bitchywaitress · 02/05/2018 14:42

Will they ask for bank statements? Will they ask that your DH's income is a certain multiplication of the rent?

If not I wouldn't tell them! Absolutely terrible that companies are saying no DSS. Should be made illegal.

PersianCatLady · 02/05/2018 14:44

DSS is something that hasn't existed in years but generally it is used by landlords to refer to people on HB / LHA

Original poster

inkpaperblotts · 02/05/2018 16:19

PersianCatLady, please bother to read posts before commenting. Literally the very first line states that I know what No DSS means. Thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

inkpaperblotts · 02/05/2018 16:20

BitchyWaitress, if we don't tell them and they find out they have every right to immediately evict us. I don't want to risk my toddler being homeless.

OP posts:

IamPeas · 02/05/2018 16:27

OP No one knows if a landlord will accept you as tenants or not, you will just need to tell them your situation if they want references and credit checks. Many landlords don't want people who rely on full benefits as the HB part no longer goes directly to them.

You were rude to PersianCatLady.

DoubleLottchen · 02/05/2018 16:35

When we were renting out our house, we weren't fully insured if our tenants were in receipt of housing benefit.

Nothing to do with "not wanting them", nothing to do with whether they paid on time or not.

We might have tried to alter our insurance provider to work round it for a good prospective tenant, but only if we knew about it! And the landlord not being fully insured is probably not in the tenant's best interest either.

HelenTheHunter · 02/05/2018 16:45

You clearly dont understand what DSS means as you say you're not sure if you come under it. Did you mean to be so rude?

theunsure · 02/05/2018 17:22

I'm a landlord, and no - I wouldn't take anyone with a top-up from Housing Benefit or equivalent. I'd say with 99% certainty that anyone who advertises as "no DSS" will include any amount of housing benefit in that criteria.

It will come up on the affordability checks anyway I'm sure, so I don't think there is any danger of being accepted and then later "found out" - you won't get that far.

user1484830599 · 02/05/2018 17:25

I am a landlord and both my mortgage and insurance policy both forbid renting to tenants on HB.

Original poster

inkpaperblotts · 02/05/2018 19:38

I understand the definition of DSS and did not need to be told it. I didn't know if we counted as it as my partner is working. My post wasn't here for someone to increase their comment count.

DSS means benefits. We're not on benefits, my partner works and we get the same top ups from the government as everyone else. I figured I'd ask people who might have been in similar situations and I figured there would be landlords here, I was right as two have commented.

OP posts:

Raven88 · 02/05/2018 19:43

If they don't accept DSS they probably won't accept you. I didn't know most people got help with their rent

LadyGrey66 · 02/05/2018 19:47

What 'top ups' does everyone else get??

DD2017 · 02/05/2018 19:51

It's usually a condition of a mortgage that you cannot rent to DSS recipients - not ideal as it's nearly guaranteed income for a landlord!
Have you tried the local authority / housing associations for any available accommodation?

NerrSnerr · 02/05/2018 19:58

When I rented out my flat there was a condition on my mortgage that I couldn't let to someone in receipt of HB.

I don't understand if you know what DSS is why aren't you sure if you come under it?

Graduate223 · 02/05/2018 19:58

We're not on benefits, my partner works and we get the same top ups from the government as everyone else.

You are getting housing benefit. The clue is in the name, housing benefit. So you are getting benefits. Not everyone does get top ups, so I don’t know what you mean by that.

No DSS means no benefits so you won’t be able to persuade them to have you if they say no DSS.

wurlie · 02/05/2018 19:58

DSS means benefits. We're not on benefits, my partner works and we get the same top ups from the government as everyone else.

Not everybody gets top ups

If you are in receipt of HB then you are receiving benefits which would fall under the old DSS description.

SmashedMug · 02/05/2018 20:00

You are getting housing benefit. The clue is in the name, housing benefit.

WafflesWafflesWaffles · 02/05/2018 20:02

I was told by my Letting agent that I wasn't classed as DSS because I was working. I'm a single parent and I work, claim tax credits and I'm entitled to a little bit of housing benefit so I assumed I would be turned away but that wasn't the case.

They didn't take the housing benefit into account and just looked at my wage and tax credits. She said my annual wage and tax credits would need to add up to atleast 30x the monthly rent and it did so I was able to get a house.

I think they don't let to people fully reliant on benefits. I'm not sure if a private landlord would use the same system though.

BlitzenandMikey · 02/05/2018 20:02

What benefits are you on exactly OP? Any or none? Its down to the landlord I guess as to whether he or she wants to take the risk of taking on tenants who are on benefits. If you are not claiming benefit then there is no issue? If you are getting DHP because there is a shortall between your rent and your HB allowance then you might be lucky. If you are on UC and you get some housing element, again you may strike lucky with a landlord. Have an open conversation with potential landlords first; then you know where you stand? If you currently claim old style HB then a move may trigger a change of circumstance and you may have to apply for UC. Check with citizens advice?

Reaa · 02/05/2018 20:02

DSS means benefits. We're not on benefits, my partner works and we get the same top ups from the government as everyone else

We don't get any government top ups?

I'm I missing out on something?

other than the goat

TroubledLichen · 02/05/2018 20:07

There’s no need to be so rude to other posters who are trying to help you. No DSS generally means no HB, which you can receive as in an in-work benefit (or a top-up as you put it) if you are on a low income. This sounds like it applies to you but your posts are conflicting so I’m not sure. And FYI, not everyone receives ‘top-ups’, even child benefit is means tested these days.

With regard to your question about landlords, many including myself will say no HB under any circumstances for insurance reasons. If you rent through an agency there will also be a minimum earnings requirement unless you have a guarantor. I suspect this will be more than whatever your household income is if you are in receipt of ‘top ups’. The agent will ask for proof of earnings so you won’t be able to hide that you’re receiving HB. You have the best chance of finding somewhere if you look for a private landlord rather than through an agency.

PersianCatLady · 02/05/2018 20:31

If you know what it means then how come you don't know if it applies to you??

PersianCatLady · 02/05/2018 20:33

By the way, just because your DP works doesn't make you superior to every other HB / LHA claimant.

FrillySpidersWillies · 02/05/2018 20:36

*We don't get any government top ups?

I'm I missing out on something?*

I want a top up

TeachesOfPeaches · 02/05/2018 20:37

I'm a single parent working full time and get housing benefit to help pay my rent. Unfortunately also means I would be excluded from a large percentage of properties when I choose to move due to the NO DSS rule.

Flip

1 2 3