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Original poster

Landlords discriminating against UC

41 replies

Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:02

Hello,

I've just moved into a new property as my previous landlord was selling up. I have two children 2 and 5 years old and I receive universal credit to top up my rent - I do work part time as a health care assistant.

So, the flat I've moved into I had to pay 12 months rent plus deposit up front, I wanted to move in on the 17th December to prevent paying two rents but the estate agents said they wanted someone in December 2nd so I agreed. I've moved in and there are so many issues with the property, I've attached a picture of my snagging list but the previous tenants have really damaged the property for example using a wall as a dart board.

I've complained to the estate agents but I was told to go through the landlord but as I've only been here a week I've contacted the estate agents as well to make them aware of the damage as well.

The landlord is happy to do the repairs but he's made a comment that he wouldn't usually rent to someone on benefits but was persuaded by the agents. Despite the fact I've paid all this money up front and now I've got to have loads of repairs done while trying to work, get kids to school, nursery etc no apologies or acknowledgement that I wanted to move in later and the repairs could've been done before I moved in and this is all a massive inconvenience.

I've attached pictures but basically I wanted to know if I'd be able to complain about him to Shelter or the council? I know landlords aren't supposed to discriminate but clearly they do and I've now paid over £10,000 (all my savings) for a flat with no working blinds, front door doesn't lock etc and really he seems to begrudge doing all the repairs for someone on UC.

Any advice greatly appreciated as I'm absolutely sick of being looked down upon because I'm a single mum on UC
.

Landlords discriminating against UC
Landlords discriminating against UC
OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 09/12/2022 09:23

I think his comment was snide and unnecessary but internet connection is yours to sort out and the communal front door while mNot ideal is almost certainly the freeholders to fix and not his.

The blinds and windows I would chase up they aren’t big fixes

Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:27

Hi, thank you for responding. The internet connection I'm happy to sort I just wanted it on record that it looked that moving in so I'm not blamed for it etc

He is the freeholder, he buys large houses and converts them into flats and speaking the my neighbours downstairs it's been broken for over 3 years.

OP posts:
Ohdearnotagain76 · 09/12/2022 09:30

I don’t think his comments were helpful but also your comment about paying advance rent and having to move on the 2nd are moot. You agreed to the rent and move and while the minor repairs should of been picked up you never checked them before you moved in either. Hopefully the repairs get done quickly and then you can enjoy your new home

ivykaty44 · 09/12/2022 09:32

You need to speak to Tina

no ffs you sort out Tina and do the running round over broken blinds. You wanted me in the flat early whereas you could have had access for another 2 weeks to get this all sorted

id be really angry over his attitude

but seething is all you can do and force him to sort issues and let him contact Tina

Danikm151 · 09/12/2022 09:33

Your complaints are nothing to do with being on benefits.
in fact, landlords aren’t allowed to discriminate based on receiving benefits- many do but he’s a silly idiot in the fact that he has put it down in writing.

Threadkillacilla · 09/12/2022 09:37

Arrogant cock.
Shame you have to suck it up for twelve months and not tell him to shove it.

silverclock222 · 09/12/2022 09:39

Totally missing point but with £10k in savings why the hell do you get UC?

Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2022 09:41

Not sure where benefits come into this, he rented to you so he’s not discriminating is he?

Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2022 09:42

silverclock222 · 09/12/2022 09:39

Totally missing point but with £10k in savings why the hell do you get UC?

I think you can have £16k

Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:46

I couldn't check because they were cleaning the flat until 5pm the day I moved in and literally had about 20 minute's to check before I moved in. When you have 2 children and you're scared of being homeless it's petrifying.

OP posts:
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/12/2022 09:46

silverclock222 · 09/12/2022 09:39

Totally missing point but with £10k in savings why the hell do you get UC?

After 6k the UC starts being deducted, at 16k you're not entitled at all.

Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:47

You can have up to £16k and I was actually hoping to save for a deposit but with my landlord selling I didnt have time to keep saving

OP posts:
Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:49

He only accepted because the estate agents persuaded him apparently. Because of cost of living etc a lot of properties aren't renting but landlords would rather have an empty property than rent to people on UC a lot of the time

OP posts:
Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:50

I was told if I wanted the property I'd have to move in when they wanted, I wish I hadn't but I was worried I wouldn't have a home to go to.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:52

I would absolutely love too! Really horrible attitude seeing as I know nurses who are single mum's and they claim UC just a crap way to look at people

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 09/12/2022 09:53

The fact he has put it in writing is extremely foolish, keep the email as it may come in useful one day

Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:53

Yeah it's really crap! I think the Estates agent's just wanted my money and to get me in asap. Wish I'd pushed back more! Horrible attitude because you claim UC you're lucky I rent to you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 09:54

Yeah exactly that. I was hoping to save up for a deposit for a small flat just to get started but landlord needed to sell so I had to scrap that plan.

OP posts:
ohioriver · 09/12/2022 09:59

I don't think you should've identified the estate agent on here.

Original poster
Hola93 · 09/12/2022 10:01

He owns a lot of properties so you'd think he'd know better! Really horrible comment and stupid as well seeing as it's in writing now!

OP posts:
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/12/2022 10:11

What a twat. The 12 months upfront cost, is that a deposit?

FaazoHuyzeoSix · 09/12/2022 10:19

of course it's reasonable for OP to have savings of £10k - for precisely this kind of situation. loads of landlords will only rent to people on benefits if all rent paid up front so OP will have to spend the next year building that savings pot back up in case this time next year this landlord decides to sell and op has to do the same again (but this is fine as the money that would have been spent on rent if it wasn't already paid can go into savings.

op this seems like a dodgy landlord. make sure you get notification of what deposit holding scheme your deposit is with and keep plenty of photos of the house as it was when you moved in and also records of what repairs are done when. you cab be sure that when you move out he will try to think of reasons to keep your deposit.

some kinds of decisions that landlords make regarding tenants on benefits aren't illegal. after all they have a right to benefit from their property and receive rent for it and have reliable tenants. but they shouldn't assume that you are unreliable just because you get benefits and they should provide the same standard of service for the same rent regardless of whether it's being paid for from your own pocket or from benefits. this one seems to think that because you receive benefits you deserve to have to put up with a shoddy home, there should be lsndlord vetting procedures that disqualify people like him.

PinkPlantCase · 09/12/2022 10:22

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/12/2022 10:11

What a twat. The 12 months upfront cost, is that a deposit?

It’ll be where someone can’t prove by the normal affordability checks that that they can afford it or where they don’t have a guarantor.

On the plus side it means that OP doesn’t have to pay the rent monthly as she’s already paid it. Not that that’s much help when the place is in poor condition.

Deposit would generally be separate on top of that and should be placed in one of the protection schemes.

Landlord sounds very rude OP. He really didn’t need to comment on whether or not you’re on UC, he’s had your money upfront!! Atleast it does sound like he’s going to get it sorted.

(He should contact Tina himself)

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/12/2022 10:26

PinkPlantCase · 09/12/2022 10:22

It’ll be where someone can’t prove by the normal affordability checks that that they can afford it or where they don’t have a guarantor.

On the plus side it means that OP doesn’t have to pay the rent monthly as she’s already paid it. Not that that’s much help when the place is in poor condition.

Deposit would generally be separate on top of that and should be placed in one of the protection schemes.

Landlord sounds very rude OP. He really didn’t need to comment on whether or not you’re on UC, he’s had your money upfront!! Atleast it does sound like he’s going to get it sorted.

(He should contact Tina himself)

Show quote history

Ah right! I was going to say, that is a ridiculous amount!!

antipodeancanary · 09/12/2022 10:31

No point in you complaining about him saying he doesn't rent to UC claimants. The proof is that he has rented to you so he definitely does. Everyone is entitled to moan in an email - that is not evidence at all. Pragmatically if you could have found accommodation you preferred you would have taken it and I think there will be even fewer rental property next year, so you probably have to make the best of this disagreeable LL unless you want to be evicted in a years time.