Unfortunately I have to agree that you have been proved right. Which is why I wrote to my MP about it. It’s disgusting that people just think it’s ok to spend money for rent and I do not care what anyone’s circumstances are, NOTHING comes before rent? The number of evictions increased massively and people were blaming the new benefit (UC) when it’s not the benefit that’s the problem it’s the people thinking they have a right to use the housing element as they wish! As if paying rent is a choice!! It’s infuriating and it’s impact on people like me is horrendous. Yes if I want to live in a dump surrounded by tramps who think nothing of dumping rubbish in the street (gardens too full to add any more) then yes I could probably find a landlord happy to accept me but I don’t want to live like that! I’m in a very nice and clean area now which is beautifully maintained but I have no garden so I’m trying to get somewhere else but it’s proving impossible as I’m not even getting the option to prove my case but I get it I really do it’s too much of a risk all because the government won’t take action against the fraudulent claimants spending ring fenced money!! Too much legislation placed on landlords too I’m not surprised many are selling up and using their funds to invest more wisely and with less financial impact. Again Collin. I really hope your move in to the commercial sector proves fruitful and less stressful.
I wanted the government to train the people who are
on UC how to physical work and manage the life and not just giving the money UC to how to manage the money.
I feel really sorry for the real honest disable good
people who really near the support don’t get help and because of fraudulent people and also they know how to play the game
in order to get the maximum benefit. Then because we have very bad experience with UC people, we are forced to make decision and choice to who we decide to rent our place
If the government wanted the people who are on UC learn how to manage the money what is given to them then at least they should able find some sort of work and teach them how that money is earned by doing the work.
I have know a woman who was working and lost the job in 2007 and have been on benefits since then. She decided not to work because amount of money she was and still getting is more than she was earning and said what was the point of her finding the job.
Also there was another case where this person said not to work more than certain hours in order to get maximum benefits on UC.
I know how genuine disabled people and with mental health people feel because I have been through in the same condition when I lost my job on medical condition and
even refuse to pay what I entitled and that was incapacity benefit at that time even after paying so much higher taxes.
Just out of curiosity is there a new preferred term to stop saying DSS now.
Er no, not really, any referral to benefits is considered unacceptable these days.
What I say instead is that applications ‘must pass full referencing and affordability assessments’. I then apply broad brush starting point - their annual income must be 2.5x the annual rent. Then
I assess their bank statements (ask for at least 3 months). Also ask for payslips, also at least 3m. Credits on statements will show you how income is derived, either by an employer or DWP. We may not be able to say No DSS but we can ask for lots of reference paperwork and then advise them that they did not meet referencing criteria.
There are ways and means… We just have to use the correct language.
Spot on. if we only want employed, be careful what you say
You cannot state no DSS but you can say that they must pass referencing. I always have rent guarantee insurance which would be void if I did not reference them. If the government in its stupidity told us that was illegal then yes we would sell up putting the onus back on the councils to find houses for people.
I’m so sorry your going through this. Like you I fell for a sob story thought I was helping a mum with two kids out, council deposit scheme also. Only once she had left did I found out she had her mother living there the whole time, had pets Without asking that caused damage, sold/disposed of items. The Council were supposed to carry out six monthly inspections hadn’t inspected once in five years and weren’t interested in the damages, or that her mother had living in my property for five years without mine or the benefits sections knowledge along with her son and daughter. I still got of lightly compared with you though. Never again will I accept anyone receiving benefits
as I always say ,yOU CANNOT TRUST LOCAL COUNCILS they will lie to you to get your property
It is funny how “DSS” is discriminatory and “DNPR” (Did Not Pass the Referencing) is not. Both divide people into two huge groups. Both tell you something about them. Both only tip you that they MIGHT not be as reliable as the others, but do not prove that. And yet the government is OK with filtering people based on the reference checking and not OK with filtering them based on the income source checking, despite the fact that the first includes the second anyway. What a stupid way to force everyone to waste each others time.
So sorry this happened to you, she clearly had it in mind to do as soon as she saw her chance. My LL hasn’t protected my deposit, in the 7yrs I’ve been here, I’ve told him every 6 mths as that’s how he does my tenancy after the first yr. I have not approached anyone in regards to this other than him in the 7 yes I’ve been here. My property is in disrepair and has been since I moved in, all was promised to sorted before moving in, then it was meant to be done after we moved, then during, then we’d have to move out to get work done, then no another change of mind. It’s been one thing after the other for 7 yrs! When it rains outside it rains indoors, has done for 7yrs, I could go on. I still treat this place like a palace, as best as I can under the circumstances. Why, do I live here, well, I’m on benefits and no one wants to rent to benefit tenants because of these kind of wicked acts. My LL gets his rent direct and has done for 7 yrs and that was MY request not his, he also has all right to any info regarding rent etc. My deposit, was my own money, as was the rent up front and anything else. There are things I could get him into trouble for but where would that leave me, without a roof over my head. So you see people like that tenant makes it so hard for us genuine people looking for a nice home to be proud of and some LL aren’t as near fantastic either. I hope everything works out the best for you
If all private LL’s do this, then looks like me and my daughter will out on the streets, as i have bad credit and I’m on sickness benefits. Where does that leave me. I’m currently renting as of 7 yrs in the same property but LL requires property for his family needs. I’m clean tidy, pleasant, get with all neighbours, rent sent direct to LL, my choice. But all that doesn’t matter because I’m on benefits.
Wow, it’s not fair to tar us all with the same brush. That’s like saying all landlord’s are the salt of the earth. Come on now.
Out of the last 9 tenants on welfare 8 have been a problem 
Do you still think I’m being unfair?
All I know is, I’m a benefit tenant and I am extremely house proud as that is how I was brought up. My rent is paid on time directly to landlord (my choice). I am 53 yrs old, I have no interest in damaging properties, I just want a home to be proud of and be at peace. But like I said I’m in receipt of benefits and I don’t enjoy being labelled as not tenant worthy because of that fact. But I do understand your situation, I just don’t agree with landlords putting other landlords off benefit tenants, that person they’re rejecting could be me.
The law of averages. I have tenants longstanding ,all working, no probs so far.
I agree it is very sad but until the govt gives more protection to landlords who take on dss then I will continue warning landlords of the problems as my conscience tells me. Another problem is the age, as the younger a DSS tenant is the more likely it will be that problems arise.
Hi I have a potential tenant (single mom self employed but came with her boyfriend), she told me the deposit and rent will come directly from housing association. She has stayed 6 years in last property and can provide reference letter. Her boyfriend can provide bank statement as well. Sounds a good candidate to me, any advise will be great
Ask for confirmation from the housing association in writing or ask to speak to the relevant person.
Thanks a lotstrong text
Great… this is why alot of people have no luck trying to rent, and we are all tarnished the same, You may not say ur not saying ppl are the same, but u have. This is the first time I have ever gone onto UC, trying to find a property as a single mum, I have a part time cleaning job around my disabled son who’s 4, in a military home awaiting an eviction date as my ex walked out and left us here, and now I have the worry of trying to find a property with all this stigma, it’s really disgusting actually. I just want somewhere to call home and look after it like it would be my own, it’s awful the amount ur expected to pay too, how can u get a guarantor when u have both parents who are retired and are 70? Earn 30x the rent when u only work part time? Looks like I won’t even be able to rent private at all then without someone sticking their nose up at me… you are seen as scum basically… cheers 