Housing Benefit

[Scarlett]

I was just talking to my friend about housing benefit. Both he and I rely on it. We are exceptionally reliable tenants, look after our flats and always pay rent in advance. He has mental health problems and I have physical problems. We were bemoaning the fact that pretty much every house ever available for rent states "no housing benefit". We believe this is discriminatory. People rely on housing benefit for various reasons and different times in their lives, some for longer than others. All these people are just normal people. We live in a country where our government is set up so that we look after each other if we fall on hard times- we pay taxes when we work, and we receive help via benefits if we can't work. Under this, we are all the same people. You get utter *** who will trash a property and not pay their rent, who are in full time work. Isn't it about time that the government made it illegal for people to state "no housing benefit" on their properties, particularly for disabled people? No business would be allowed to say "No wheelchairs" or "No schizophrenics" - on the contrary, they would be penalised if they didn't go out of their way to help people who needed more help. We currently have nowhere to move to because of the "no housing benefit" blanket. What do you think?

[Mamyalynne]

You can't as such, there is some limited help for owner occupiers.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/housing-benefit/help-with-your-rent-housing-benefit/

[AuntLydia]

The OP does not own her property she stated she's a Tenant.

[ladybirder]

AL, as I am the owner of a cat and a dog, if I was seeking to rent a property (which I'm not), I would understand that you would be taking a bigger risk letting a property to me. So if I offered to pay double the deposit amount as security against any damage, would you rent to me?

Regarding the OP, I don't think it is any of the LL's business if you are on HB or not. Good genuine references were always good enough for me when I rented my property out.

[SparklyKid]

As long as my tenants pay rent on time I have no problem with HB.

[bednobs]

al - yes but she has previously stated she has a place that she rents out to tenants

[AuntLydia]

Ladybirder // So if I offered to pay double the deposit amount as security against any damage, would you rent to me? //

No I wouldn't. There are plenty of Tenants without pets looking for accommodation.

[AuntLydia]

Bednobs Seriously! Good Grief! How on earth................why does she rely on HB when she has Tenants of her own............beggars belief

[ladybirder]

Here you go: https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden/Question1620524.html

[Scarlett]

Bednobs.... this is what I was talking about the other day. The retrospective digging up of old questions with which to beat the OP with. It really does make me not want to post at all anymore. Why can't questions be answered on face value? This post is about the GENERAL rule of 'no housing benefit' for disabled people seeking accommodation, and therefore how difficult it is for them to find anywhere to live. I rented my flat out whilst I moved across the country to do a course. Then got very ill. Then couldn't walk at all. I was unable to move back and unable to live in that flat cos of all the stairs. So I have had to stay here, renting. And since I am now so disabled, I can't work full time, so get some housing benefit. I'd rather not have to write all my personal information on here but seems I have to defend myself, once again.

[AuntLydia]

There is no general rule of no housing benefit claimants allowed.. Also you are under no legal obligation to mention to the Agent or Landlord you are on HB. They do however need proof of income . If you are renting out a property and can show monthly income this would probably cover but it obviously depends on the Landlord.

[AuntLydia]

Scarlett -be aware you a breaking the law by owning your own property and letting it out while claiming HB in a different area of the UK.. This is not being judgmental, just a word of advice. If your property has now been sold I apologise.

[Scarlett]

AuntLydia, I'm really not. Everything is declared and above board. I make a loss from the flat. I pay interest only. I'm not paying off any capital. They understand that if I sold it right now I would be in negative equity. I give in my accounts every year which has everything on it. I am going to leave this post now as it is making me really upset that I have to discuss my finances and personal information on here. I asked a question about the general non-accepting of people on housing benefit- that is all.

[kvalidir]

Oh dear this was unnecessary, it was a general question. hope you're okay Scarlett x

[AuntLydia]

Scarlett I personally was just trying to help. If one does not have the facts you can't give advice, that doesn't mean you need to give your life story. I'm sorry you are upset. In my experience people on HB are not discriminated against but I do realise this varies from region to region. Truth be told my worst Tenants have been private non DSS ,in work, I've never had any trouble with those on HB.

[THECORBYLOON]

SCARLETT, there are millions of claimants receiving various benefits. Claimants need to meet criteria in order to continue receiving that benefit.

For some benefits such as JSA, ESA or Universal Credit, claimants are expected to fulfil certain expectations.

You may have had a bad experience with DWP but they do not suspend benefit or end awards on a whim.

The responsibility is the claimant's to inform the DWP if they are unable to attend an appointment. Someone from DWP MAY contact a claimant to remind them about an appointment or to check why they failed to attend but that is not obligatory.

[ABSpareEditor]

For the benefit of the original poster, it can be good practise to take certain questions at face value to help them with an answer instead of referring to old questions and answers.

This thread is now closed.