Hi
How do other Landlords feel about renting out to people on Universal credit?
I am about to show people around my flat in South London and the majority of people are on Universal Credit.
Where are all the good working people?
At the moment, all I seem to get are people on UC, DSS, agents for care homes or NHS and company lets.
Any suggestions of comments gratefully welcomed.
There are a great many ‘good working people’ up and down the country who make excellent tenants who also happen to need and get a little financial assistance through UC.
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Responding to this would likely incriminate a landlord for discrimination as the post implies discrimination
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My experiences are that those tenants relying on benefits have been unable to absorb the ongoing & gradual increase in inflation / the market price of rentals in recent years, whereas most of those working, have been able to absorb these increases.
One tenant, when we discussed the need to increase rent, said she could not even afford £5 extra per month.
Another tenant is now paying £950 per month, against a market price of £1200. They have lived there a long time, and as both rely on benefits, they cannot afford the higher payments.
I have never had similar issues with tenants who have been working full time, and whom (to my knowledge) have not been reliant on benefits.
Whilst I continue to consider all applicants, you will understand that my selection decisions might be influenced by my past experiences.
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Same here in Birmingham. After several readings of bad experience in this forum, we think that we are unable to manage the risk. Obviously there must be good tenants (with DSS) but the vetting could be difficult and also we may not be able to pay for the landlord insurance (or even be accepted to buy it). We used to experience someone who couldn’t pay for the rent - it’s such a bad time to both us and the tenant so we have become extremely cautious about affordability and the potential consequence, eg breakup in an relationship.
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Do you ask to look at bank statements again to verify? It’s easy to say unable to afford it. I realise it’s easier said than done though.
Will you let them continue to stay there?
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I ask for full credit check, bank statements, pay slips, etc. The problem is getting the right type of tenant through the door. So many agents all wanting to do HMO/NHS etc. None of them seem to be genuine NHS contracts and so cannot be trusted.
I have now resorted to maybe having to pay a young start up agent for sourcing a good tenant then pay a finders fee. Not cheap but if it works out could be ok.
Have used all the local and UK wide agents, but all linked with gangs, or dodgy. Even Barnard Marcus, took them to the Ombudsman, who were useless…
I cannot understand why if Openrent advertise on Zoopla and RIghtmove why the same tenants go to other agents from these sites. As it costs them hundreds of pounds in agent fees.
Weird
My tenants (universal credit) have reported mold in the houses because they dont want to put any money in heating. Both houses didn’t have any mold issues in last 10 years.
I would remove the mold, photograph it, ask them to confirm by email that its been addressed and then serve a s21 notice. This situation is not going to improve.
I haven’t asked for any proof. They have lived there for 11+ years, and whilst the rent has increased, its not keeping pace with market prices. I normally get the ‘our benefits don’t increase that much’ feedback, and as they have been there a long time, and have looked after the house, I have & continue to be flexible.
Something will need to change sometime, and I might have to change my approach. Keeping a close eye on the RRB progress / amendments, as this might force my hand.
If the tenants don’t heat the house then mould is due to their lifestyle
They can treat that themselves with antifungal spray
I would document in writing and show photographs of smart meter demonstrating that they are not heating the house
I would also send them an advice leaflet on condensation and mould
It’s a no from me. For all that’s worth.
You’d think people could get a job in the capital.