I just wanted to know how this is fair for anyone who is remotely on benefits; as a single mother with no where to live I only earn £14,000 a year so that means I have to be homeless because no one wants to accept benefits ?
Whether working or on benefits, you have to pass an affordability test . If you do not have enough income from whatever source, then a landlord will not rent to you. This is not the landlords fault.
It says that a landlord can decide whether they want to still rent to you whether you pass the referencing or fail so it is a landlords choice.
well its his property, he can do what he wants with it
Anger ??? Just stating a fact The landlord is the one taking all the risks (and I have rented in the past)
Not sure how to delete the post now, but thank you for the information.
In this world you can’t have what you can’t afford I’m afraid.
The law has changed, blame Labour for increasing risk so much so that landlords are now far less likely to rent to those on low income, especially those on benefits.
It’s okay thank you anyway, I was told that landlords can no longer refuse people on DSS anymore since May. I was just confused but thank you ![]()
However there is rental support for lower incomes from gov.
Subject to affordability. You have been not told the whole situation
Yeah I’ve tried what I can sadly but I can’t get help from the council so I’ve been trying my best to hope for private but i don’t think that I will get very far.
Surely that is wrong ? Earn £14k and not get help with the rent?
They do agree to cover some of the rent for you yes, but when I’ve applied for private rented when it comes to the referencing they say I do not earn enough. Or they do not want people on DDS just what I’ve expericened this far
Is this the “housing payment” benefit? Discretionary?
How would it be fair to rent to you when you cant afford it? That is setting you up to get into rent arrears debt which is no good for you and no good for landlord? Wouldnt that also be unfair for all the tenants who pay the market rate?
If you cant find housing that is not the landlord’s responsibility. Or if you fall on hard times a car salesman wont sell you a car cheaper. Landlords charge what they need to cover their mortgage and other costs. They dont make huge profits and with high interest rates and increasing regulation more have been quitting the sector. And you are a worse risk
" Data consistently shows that tenants claiming benefits—particularly those on Universal Credit—are significantly more likely to fall into rent arrears compared to those on older benefit systems or self-paying tenants.
Source: Inside Housing Inside Housing - Comment - What can we learn from the English Housing Survey?"
Millions of people on benefits rent. So can you.
" Based on recent English Housing Survey data, around 59% of social renters (approx. 2.4 million households) and 24% of private renters (approx. 1.1 million households) receive housing support (Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit)."
Source: Inside Housing Inside Housing - Comment - What can we learn from the English Housing Survey?
If you are at risk of becoming homeless contact Shelter or Citizens advice. Your local council have a duty to house you if you are going to become homeless
If there isnt enough housing it’s because of decades of governments both labour and coalition and tory not building enough social housing. Thatcher allowed councils to sell housing without forcing them to replace it and Labour continued it. Is it fair? No. Who didnt build enough affordable housing? Not landlords.
And if you are on benefits either you have been unlucky with life circumstances such as illness or you have chosen not to work in a way that allows you to earn more or you have lacked the skills or circumstances to earn more. None of these are the responsibilitiy of landlords. The welfare state is designed to provides support for those who need it. Not business nor private landlords. Or do you think M&S should provide you with food at a discount because you are on benefits?
Good luck
With a child surely a good case for help
I forgot about the Discretionary payment which is short term
Housing association can still sell off older and newer properties that they have and build Stupid or what? Less places for the less well off
