Hi, my son and I are looking to move from Wirral to YorK, I grew up in York. We both have health conditions / disabilities (Fibromyalgia, Vision problems, Cluster Headache, Autism) and claim benefits. We wondered if Housing Benefit would be accepted towards payment of rent. This would be in accordance with the LHA and we pay the rest. We are also able to pay a deposit / months rent in advance. We have an excellent reference from our current landlord.
However, this does not seem to be enough as there is clear discrimination from the Landlords on here and letting agents in York. In July 2020 in York County Court it was ruled unlawful for Landlords and letting agents to reject people based on them claiming Housing Benefit. People are to be judged only on their ability to sustain a tenancy.
The fact that many advertised properties on here state ‘No DSS’ is UNLAWFUL, as is the practice of letting agents demanding that disabled benefit claimants must have a guarantor who can show that they have 36 x 1 months rent in their account, not many people will have that, particularly in these trying times. Note that it is only benefit claimants who must have a guarantor with this amount, which is clearly designed to prevent them from applying for properties.
I will not put up with being treated in this way and will be seeking legal advice.