Parliamentlive.tv – Work and Pensions Committee ‘No DSS’ debate

There are good and bad housing benefit tenants, but the risk of default and damage is significantly higher. Why should private landlords take the risk if the government will not even pay the full amount of the rent.

There are good and bad professionals too.

Then there can be illnesses or accidents resulting in an inability to work.

There can be job losses leading to a period of redundancy for which, if any, social safety nets are either not in place, too complex or too slow to be of any help.

It would be a simple task to sink a landlord who has 1 or 2 properties and modest gearing.

Frank Field said ‘we mustn’t just push this underground …’

I agree.

But I have that nagging doubt. Any resulting changes, however well informed and intentioned, will be expedient and end up doing just that as the job of fixing things properly will be too complex and expensive.

It must not become unreasonable to check affordability.

Any changes resulting must not encourage unfit landlords.

Hamish

I’ll be honest, I have tried, I’d done OK, started life in a similar situation, so felt I could give back….however,
The first I tried it it cost me ,£8k in lost rent, damage to property and an eviction process, the second time cost me near £1,500.
Its a great risk financially, I’ve decided I don’t need the constant rent arrears and difficult nature of such a tenant. So I’m out.
Its too costly, too difficult and you only get trouble you don’t need. I tried!

Having listened to the whole session, it raised some valid issues, but still a bit of a white wash….
Doesn’t address that DSS tenants are an increased risk financially over a working person, the potential to loose money through rent arrears, damage to properties and social behaviour are much higher which is why insurance companies stipulated none DSS, claims are higher and more likely, banks landlords more likely to go into arrears and default on mortgage payments etc
The session is somewhat disingenuous in not raising these items.

A farce, My last ??? tenant cost me £2500 + stress + other things that would turn your stomach ! The gov’ just want a quiet life as its not their problem! Rent paid direct to LL would help but no thanks!!!

Sound arguments. Insufficient scope.

Should the committee have heard from a representation of smaller landlords; to allow them to detail their reality?

Write to Frank Field and explain your stories?

Hamish