What barriers affect you renting to tenants on benefits?

What barriers affect you renting to tenants on benefits?

10:20 AM, 25th October 2022, About 2 years ago 6

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The personal finance reporter for the Telegraph, Alexa Phillips, is looking to speak to landlords about having benefit claimants as tenants.

The Local Housing Allowance has been frozen for several years but costs are going up – have you been affected by this?

Is this a barrier to accepting tenants on benefits?

Please email alexa.phillips@telegraph.co.uk

Many thanks

Alexa


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Comments

Beaver

10:53 AM, 25th October 2022, About 2 years ago

I used to rent to tenants on benefits but don't any more, unless they pay me directly. This is because the law changed years ago such that if the tenant is found to be not eligible for benefits then the benefits agencies can come back and get the money off you, the landlord. In reality as a landlord you have very few rights. It's pretty much limited to being able to do a landlord's inspection having given 24 hours notice but there's nothing much you can do to check their continued eligibility. You might be able to screen tenants for eligibility before they take up their tenancies but otherwise you are powerless.

So if they are moonlighting, if their circumstances change, or they do something else that means they are no longer entitled to benefits the social housing people can just come back and get the money off you. It's just not worth the risk.

Chris @ Possession Friend

10:59 AM, 25th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Several issues, but amongst them, mainly is the Govt's own action and DWP implementation of Universal Credit. - paying rent in Arrears, when private sector operate in advance and ' don't give credit '
Another main factor is the Housing allowance increase freezes that have significantly made benefit tenants unaffordable to market rent.

Simply put, the Govt is trying to cajole the private sector into renting their properties for the states responsibility to house those that approach them in housing need, " on the cheap "
.. and it ain't working. Tenants are the losers unfortunately

JohnCaversham

11:23 AM, 25th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Hi Alexa-
Many reasons why private Ll'ds are reluctant re benefit claimants. Chris and Beaver make good points- I will add:
1. Benefit payments are made to the claimant in arrears, and so rent is paid at the end of the month as opposed to the beginning...In contrast you pay for your groceries at Tesco in full before you leave the store not after you've consumed them.
2. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are set below local market rates.
3. Overall, benefit claimants will have a higher chance of defaulting than a tenant in full time occupation, I recognise this is a controversial point however I'm speaking from experience. I say 'overall' as a single benefit male is more likely than a single parent to fall into arrears.
4. Llds do not receive the rent directly, rents are now paid to the tenants and it is their responsibility to forward on the Lld...
5. Rental insurance is not available if the tenant is a benefit claimant.
6. Buildings insurance may be voided if the tenant is a benefits claimant.
7, Mortgage TnC's are generally breached if the tenant is a benefit claimant.
8. Liaising with the benefits department when there's an issue with the tenants rent or other problems is almost impossible.
However, some of my best and longest staying (up to 16yrs in one case) are single parents working part time but claiming a top up via Housing Benefit, so not all bad if you have the right approach.
Thanks JC

John Grefe

13:46 PM, 25th October 2022, About 2 years ago

I don't have a need to rent to DHS, students and so on. Firstly, my mortgage providers don't allow it, secondly it tends to allow anti-social behaviour. Finally, demolishing a house that has had thousands of pounds spent on it plus the purchase! Maybe I'm wrong. Have a good day 🥂

Heather G.

15:44 PM, 27th January 2023, About A year ago

Our BTL mortgage prevents renting to benefits tenants, and insurance, if you can get it, is more expensive due to increased risk.

Reluctant Landlord

16:06 PM, 27th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by JohnCaversham at 25/10/2022 - 11:23
all of what you say is true....

plus...

benefit claimants are draining especially the young ones (20-35) Due to the nanny state looking after everything for them, many think you are an extension of that service, so when you ask them to do anything its a battle as it's not in their interest.

Prime example - a rent increase. I know it wont mean they have to pay any personal top ups, but getting THEM to notify a change of circumstance (LL cant do directly with DWP or LA for HB) is impossible. They cant be bothered to book appointment at the JC or update their journal. If the rent is then late/incorrect - what do they care?

None have any idea what to behave 'in a tenant like manner' really means. They have no responsibilities and that extends to your property a lot of the time. What they see is 'normal' ..bikes in kitchen, never open a window, dry clothes on wall panel heaters has an effect....but its your property so your issue apparently!

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