Universal Credit overhaul will affect rent payments from April
1 year ago | 23 comments
‘Explicit consent’ needed from DWP recipients?
12:02 AM, 21st March 2025, 1 year ago
17
Well if there was evidence required as to why you are unable to let a property to a benefit tenant POST RRB – this is it.
Please read Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) latest own guidance here
The discrimination between how private and social landlords are treated is stark. Even when ‘explicit consent’ is gained from the tenant, it can be withdrawn immediately and for no reason.
Surely, where a LL is unable to determine in advance that they can rely on the applicant’s ability to fully adhere to the contractual obligations (unless agreed risk mitigation factors are in place, such as a guarantor), then a LL cannot legally be obligated to offer a tenancy?
Thanks,
Reluctant Landlord
Tags:
benefit tenants, DWP guidance, guarantor, landlord, private landlord, rental risks, Tenancy agreement, tenant screening, Universal Credit
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
12:59 PM, 23rd March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Shaheen Hamadani at 23/03/2025 – 12:27
total irony…if you have a property in selected licencing areas, the licence makes it expressly clear that you must reference tenants.
I wrote back to the council about this and asked would they be prepared to give a refence for a tenant currently housed by them on the housing list or in temp accommodation as clearly they have no current landlord. I reminded them that their own rules state that referencing must be obtained so would they be explaining why the tenant was in temp accommodation so that I could make sure that all referencing was completed to the best of my ability and so I could comply with the licence requirements….
Their reply? Still waiting….
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2197 - Articles: 2
1:06 PM, 23rd March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 23/03/2025 – 12:59
Very nice strategy, hoist with their own petard.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
1:14 PM, 23rd March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 22/03/2025 – 15:30
I make it expressly clear that ALL questions must be answered when an application is made or an application will not progress. Everyone gets the same application form so no ‘discrimination’ on APPLICATION.
ALL returned ones not completed/without the initial info given and without the initial evidence as proof they can meet initial affordability, get binned/rejected. I don’t bother to respond. I don’t have the time to chase up incomplete forms. As far as I am concerned that person failed at the first hurdle. The majority of benefits tenants do not fill in the form properly, fail to provide info as to affordability or can’t meet affordability (despite all this being on the listing/ad).
Does anyone think the gov is also going to intro mandated set question application forms after the RRB?
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2197 - Articles: 2
2:24 PM, 23rd March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 23/03/2025 – 13:14
You adopt largely the same procedure as I do. Of the hundreds of forms I have sent by email, I have yet to have more than a handful returned.
Member Since June 2014 - Comments: 1563
5:24 PM, 23rd March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 23/03/2025 – 14:24I expect a rental CV on initial enquiry before bothering to reply. Part of the selection process.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
6:12 PM, 23rd March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 23/03/2025 – 17:24
excellent idea. Would you mind sharing a copy/example of what you ask for please?
Member Since June 2014 - Comments: 1563
11:20 AM, 24th March 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 23/03/2025 – 18:12
I used to have a set list of questions but nowadays I just ask for a description of their circumstances. If they don’t give out sufficient information it acts as a first filter.