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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:
PersianCatLady · 02/05/2018 20:55

There was a case recently where a tenant took a LA to court over the NO DSS "rule"

PersianCatLady · 02/05/2018 20:56

Rosie Keogh settled out of court for £2,000 so no chance of a legal precedent being set.

PersianCatLady · 02/05/2018 20:58

Teaches
Have a look at Rosie's case online so if you need to find a new property in the future you can mention it when you are told NO DSS

johnd2 · 02/05/2018 21:01

The reason no DSS is a thing is because it's very hard to evict someone on Hb because they have to stay in the property until the landlord went through the whole legal process. So no chance of a quick sale for the mortgage company. Once you are in, there's no way they can summarily evict you for being on benefit, they'd have to follow the normal procedure for everyone else.

PersianCatLady · 02/05/2018 21:04

There is no difference between evicting someone on HB and any other tenant.

The problem is that if a tenant leaves a home before they are evicted by a court, they are considered to have made themselves homeless and the local authority don't have a duty to house them.

Daisymay2 · 02/05/2018 21:07

Like other respondents, I had a problem with Landlords Insurance with tenants on benefits. I shopped around as I wanted the tenants to stay but it doubled the cost of the insurance.
Seems a bit mad to me as they are the same people!

TalkFastThinkSlow · 02/05/2018 21:11

Please, someone enlighten us on this government top up that everyone gets?

OliviaStabler · 02/05/2018 21:11

I want a top up

I liked the sound of a free goat Grin

gamerchick · 02/05/2018 21:19

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 also want to know what you mean. I rent and don’t get any top ups.

The only way it sounds you can do it is to bin the housing benefit and pay the rent yourself.

naebotherpal · 02/05/2018 21:27

When I rented and worked full time, I was on benefits - WTC and CTC, but no rent “top ups”. So I assume you’re receiving these too. Even if not, what do you class Child Benefit as, if not benefits?

Tattybogle89 · 02/05/2018 21:28

How rude.

What does DSS stand for?

( I know what it means.. no I do..just wondered what the letters ever stood for ?)

gamerchick · 02/05/2018 21:31

Department of social security?

MrsPussinBoots · 02/05/2018 21:32

From my experience, the best thing to do is phone the estate agent before you view a property and ask for clarification. Some are more flexible than others so just explain it's a top-up and see what they say. You'll almost certainly need a guarantor with a very good income.

shitwithsugaron · 02/05/2018 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Needmoresleep · 03/05/2018 00:00

What worries LLs most is benefits that are paid in arrears. LLs like rent in advance. If you can do this you should be fine but speak to the agent.

The no DSS is not tested. Case upthread wss only county court and was settled. Apparently it might be quite hard to challenge as you would have to prove secondary discrimination. Ie more women claim HB so are discriminated against. Doubtless someone will try at some point.

paranoidpammywhammy2 · 03/05/2018 00:04

Do you mean child tax credits and working tax credits?

Nightfall1 · 04/05/2018 12:50

The problem is that if a tenant leaves a home before they are evicted by a court, they are considered to have made themselves homeless and the local authority don't have a duty to house them.

HRA 2017 came into effect on 3rd April which gives councils more duties if someone is threatened with homelessness such as a notice being served. (prevention)

If it is not possible to prevent their homelessness (LL goes to court for possession order etc) then that person is treated as actually homeless and this duty applies for at least 56 days.(relief)

This is to stop councils informing people that they have to stay in their homes until the bailiffs come before they will help and to stop councils telling clients that they are intentionally homelessness in these situations.

PersianCatLady · 04/05/2018 12:54

Nightfall
Thanks for that.

What with learning three new programming languages before September, I haven't been keeping up on everything else as much.

I will have a look at that later, thanks again

TheFreshPrincess0fBelair · 04/05/2018 13:02

How would they know if you got housing benefits if you didn’t tell them?

PersianCatLady · 04/05/2018 13:04

If you don't tell the LL you get HB then you can hardly say that your rent is short or late because your HB claim hasn't been paid yet.

People wait weeks, sometimes months.

SmashedMug · 04/05/2018 13:05

How would they know if you got housing benefits if you didn’t tell them?

They'll want to see how a person can afford the rent so that they know they won't stop paying it once they are in. If the tenants don't include the HB on the application, it will look like they can't afford the rent so they won't get the property. If they include it, they won't get the property because of the HB. It's lose lose really.

TrippingTheVelvet · 04/05/2018 13:07

This is hilarious. I get housing benefit but I'm not on benefits! I just can't wrap my head around that logic...

PersianCatLady · 04/05/2018 13:12

Don't you get it?

The OP only gets some benefits not full benefits therefore that makes her better than someone who is forced to claim full benefits due to their circumstances.

(Sarcastic)

Nightfall1 · 04/05/2018 15:01

PersianCatLady
Apologies -wasn't aimed at you specifically, hence why I didn't use your name. Just that many people don't know their rights (not really relevant to this thread though) and believe what "so and so said" and if people read some common misconceptions as the facts then it may put them off seeking help.

For instance my 92 year old neighbour believed what her other neighbour had told her about being evicted (as they have the same landlord) and was ready to pack up and move out and she was very distressed. They had completely different tenancies and there was no legal way to actually evict the elderly neighbour. She's very happy knowing that she doesn't have to leave.

PersianCatLady · 04/05/2018 15:04

Nightfall
Honestly, I am grateful for what you told me so please don't apologise.

I usually keep well up on the law because I am so interested in it but I have slacked lately because I am starting teacher training in September and I have so much to learn.

You are right about the shocking amount of inaccuracies that people believe when it comes to their own rights.