NRLA urges government to lift LHA freeze

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 28/10/2025 – 09:42
RL, well yes, if you’re already in the business of letting to LHA and as JC said, own in the types of low grade council type areas, then that might be the reality going forward.

But when the number of LHA recipients who can’t find a landlord willing to take them on increases, perhaps the government will increase the rate?

Anyhow, I stand by the view that if you do need to go down the eviction route, you stand a better chance of not losing a ton of money going for tenants in good jobs, with assets, guarantor, who you can get rent guarantee insurance on etc.

Far too many landlord/agents in my view do not do enough due diligence when selecting tenants.
Recently had an agent look for a tenant for me (first time in years) and the only thing they took into account was can they afford the rent (based on a calculation linked to income) or did they have a guarantor. There’s far more to it for me, but each to their own.

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 09:23

“The only issue is the DHP budgets are being squeezed “
This changes I find from council to council and what they are allocated by central gov My area was the 2nd worst area for homelessness in the UK for a while so they were well funded . They couldn’t wait to say yes to me this past 2 years. They also form creative budgets from other depts like a Homelessness Fund or Supply and Acquisition Fund or Social Services Fund and even use Charities Funding to help out . My latest was the Salvation Army which help part fund an ex vet to be housed in a 1 bed flat of mine.
The political persuasion of the council may determine how much help is generated
It will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out with this long anticipated RRB!

Reply to the comment left by Jonathan Clarke at 28/10/2025 – 11:01
Do you have a Sally Anne contact at all? I’ve just got on one bed come available.

Reply to the comment left by Lordship at 09:20

I understand many are not comfortable with the perceived risks.
But I counter the risks as my perception born out of experience does differ to many
I still get paid during an eviction process as i get direct payment from DWP. ( got one 6 mths ongoing currently ) A private tenant wont be doing that though probably
The 2 bed rate for a studio question , Yes I do get asked that a lot with raised eyebrows and a mindset of I expect he must be one of these slum landlord type
. I understand on face value it might look as if I am taking advantage of someone in distress
So another perspective . I take vulnerable tenants from backs of cars , tents, ex cons, mental health institutions, domestic violence victims , hostels . mum and baby council units , conservatory’s in winter, sheds etc etc.
So to take a mother and baby example. Boyfriend and her have baby . goes wonky he is on the spliffs and cant handle being a father . Slaps her around a bit but she has literally no where else to go . She sleeps on the sofa and baby in a cot in a cold damp flat . Its a violent controlling atmosphere . She finally goes to the council / police and says HELP ME PLEASE. I get a call . – Yes by chance I`ve got a studio flat ready to go . Working with the council/ police we have her out of there within 24hrs and in my place . She is safe and warm and fed and watered . She chucks her arms around me and hugs me tight saying I cant thank you enough for getting me out of that situation. You helped me in my hour of need . The buzz to do that for someone is great . The support worker fills out all the forms for her . My pay back is also in monetary terms but I also get the human buzz of helping a vulnerable person. You see it as exploitation of her and the system maybe . I hope I have given you a different perspective . And yes I give it a year till the baby starts walking and inevitably they come to me. Hey Jon the little one is exploring more and more – any chance of a 1 bed or even a 2 bed ground floor with an outdoor space . I look at their rent record and how they and conducted their rent and kept their flat tidy etc . Then say maybe – not at the moment but i have one coming up in a few months and i will slot you into there maybe . And the the cycle repeats itself. Just put yourself as a vulnerable person living in a cold conservatory or on a sofa with not nice people around you and i promise you a studio flat with your own door and own kitchen own bathroom and own 14ft x 16 ft living space will seem like a palace . And there are literally thousands of vulnerable people out there in need of help.

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 28/10/2025 – 11:21
only my local mobile contact . but this will find someone near you and they will point you in the right direction

https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/map-page

Yes, I agree that landlords like yourself are indeed a lifeline to these people. I have in the past housed single mothers on benefits (when the LHA rates were closer to private rents), without too many issues! These tenants in the main were very appreciative of the type of homes I rented to them and as a landlord you felt valued and gives a sense of pride in helping others in need. Not always the case with other tenant types!

What I will say is that as a self managing landlord I found these people often took more management, due to their circumstances.

However, it could be argued, while landlords like yourself are happy to offer this proposition to councils, the government will do nothing to improve the situation. That’s part of what I struggle with. It’s not really an ideal solution for them, although better than the current alternatives.

What happens if you don’t have a bigger place available once the kid gets older? Are you continuingly expanding the portfolio?

Also being extremely right wing in my views apparently! – while left wing governments/supporters go soft on people not being responsible for themselves and their actions, the number of people in these circumstances just keeps on increasing.

That’s another topic!

At the end of the day if it works for you great, hopefully the RRB won’t impact you as much as others.

Reply to the comment left by Lordship at 28/10/2025 – 12:11
Sorry I can do no more than what i do atm. I am not continually expanding these days no and I cant house everyone I`m afraid . If I cant give them a bigger place when the kid gets older that`s tough for them but really isnt my problem . But surely that’s not a valid reason not to take them in the first place for 2 years . You infer that if didn`t house the vulnerable then the gov might do more rather than rely on me and others like me . You may be right but I cant solve the worlds problems I just help them out in their time of need and at the same time do good business. If you struggle with the morality of that then clearly the model is not for you . I will pass your sentiments on to the next homeless person I deal with. They may agree with you and say what the hell I will stay on the street tonight in the wet and the cold just to put 2 fingers up at the Gov . I`m sure they would rather do that than accept a warm safe secure flat !

Reply to the comment left by Jonathan Clarke at 28/10/2025 – 11:41
cheers!

“If I cant give them a bigger place when the kid gets older that`s tough for them but really isn’t my problem.”

Is that because your ok with leaving this set up of a mother and child in cramped place not suitable for their needs? Are there rules around overcrowding?

Or do you ask them to leave and then end up having to go down the eviction route if they don’t?
I’m not versed of the rules here.

You’re right, it’s not an area I would ever get involved with. Sounds like a lot of hassle. But you do get paid more.

Reply to the comment left by Lordship at 30/10/2025 – 11:39
A LL cannot be accused of letting a property that was ‘overcrowded’ if at the time of the tenancy it was not.

You cannot account for people expanding their family. The sensible tenant will look to move to something bigger to accommodate for their family increase. The one that thinks the state will provide a bigger property will be in for a long wait….meanwhile they are housed so the council will not deem then priority. They have made the property ‘overcrowded’ by their own actions.