The Difference Between DSS Tenants on Housing Benefit (HB) And DSS Tenants On Local Housing Allowance (LHA)
Written by The Landlord on 16 Sep 2008
What’s the difference between Housing Benefit (HB) and Local Housing Allowance (LHA)?
Basically, a tenant receiving financial aid from the council is either on Housing Benefits (HB) or Local Housing Allowance (LHA). The difference can be somewhat crucial for a landlord.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA)
LHA was introduced in April, 2007. It’s is a new way of calculating Housing Benefit (HB) and is based on the area the customer lives, number of occupiers in the property and household size. LHA is a much fairer way of calculating HB, as it ensures that tenants in similar circumstances in the same area receive the same amount of financial support for their housing costs.
Housing Benefit (HB)
So, if LHA is the new way of calculating HB… Yes, you guessed it. HB is the original predecessor. HB is very similar to LHA in the sense that If you’re on a low income and need financial help to pay all or part of your rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit. However, unlike LHA, HB doesn’t take into account all the variables, so someone living next door to you, in the same position as you, maybe receiving more benefits. So it’s not as fair or as well calculated, hence why it’s been replaced by LHA.
Not everyone has switched over from HB to LHA as yet. If a tenant is already on HB, they will not be affected by LHA unless they change address and move into accommodation rented from a private landlord- that’s when they will be moved onto LHA.
Eventually, HB will be completely abolished, and those landlords taking on new DSS tenants will get LHA tenants, not HB tenants.
How is this relevant?
It’s relevant because the main difference between HB tenants and LHA tenants for a Landlord will be the loss of security. Yes, that’s right. Let me explain…
A few days ago I wrote an article about The Positives Of DSS Tenants, and one of the points was that landlords get paid directly. But apparently that’s not ALWAYS the case anymore…
Those on HB can choose to have their Housing Benefit paid:
- directly to your landlord
- to you by cheque
- by Direct Payment into your bank or building society account
But as I mentioned, HB are past their expiry date, so only landlords that have been holding DSS tenants from before 2007 April have tenants on HB.
Those on LHA will normally have their benefits sent straight into their account (if they have one) or by cheque. Payment is not normally made to the landlord. It is up to the Tenant to pay the rent to the landlord.
If the tenant is worried about managing their money, they can ask their local council if they can help. In some cases they may be able to pay their benefit directly to the landlord.
The conclusion
Did you happen to spot the significant difference between the two?
Landlords with DSS tenants on HB have the luxurious option of having payments being sent directly to them, while the new LHA scheme requires the benefits to be sent directly to the DSS tenant.
BOOM, there goes the landlord’s security, and one out of the two pitiful positives of taking on DSS tenants (other positive being that they’re free).
Apparently the new arrangement is meant to encourage tenants to become independent and manage their own money. I’m pretty sure that a large portion of people on social benefits are on benefits because they are BAD at handling money. So why take the risk? If they want to practice the art of being responsible with money, the council should buy each DSS tenant a game of Monopoly. That way they can practice with fake money and not fuck with real peoples lives!!
DSS tenants are already hard enough to house because of their bad rep; now they’ll be even harder to house due to the loss of security for landlords. It would be interesting to see data on this- how many Landlords have evicted DSS tenants since April 2007 compared to the previous years? I’m assuming the line graph shoots up like an erection…
I know it says that under special circumstances the council will pay directly into the landlord’s account if the LHA tenant is worried about managing their money, but the word on the street is that arranging that is extremely difficult, and rarely happens.
What a pile of crap.
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197 Comments - join the conversation...
Showing 148 - 197 comments (out of 197)
Aisling O2011-01-31 15:16:52
Claire - totally agreed.
I studied accountancy for goodness sake and constantly write up my own budgets.
What a naive thing to say that people are only on benefits because they're bad with money. Whoever wrote that obviously has no idea that you don't just get benefits by filling out a form and showing bank statements that shows you're 'bad with money'. I get benefits because I can't work and because I have mobility and care needs. I have never been bad with money EVER. GRRRR And btw, whenever I've played monopoly I've been the Banker, looking after everyone elses money! haha
I've never been in debt my whole life and don't intend to! Debit cards, no credit cards, no loans etc...just pure benefits coming in, phone bills and petrol going out. The main letting agent where I'm looking to rent has the best properties for me, but the WHOLE letting agent is branded as a 'NO HB' agent. THAT is discrimination.
Anyone who misses a rent payment and is on benefits, shouldn't be on benefits. They're frauds if they're not looking after their money. Any legit person on benefits watches for that money to come in everyday it's due in their account and makes sure not to spend too much. There's no way a legit person would miss a payment.
I studied accountancy for goodness sake and constantly write up my own budgets.
What a naive thing to say that people are only on benefits because they're bad with money. Whoever wrote that obviously has no idea that you don't just get benefits by filling out a form and showing bank statements that shows you're 'bad with money'. I get benefits because I can't work and because I have mobility and care needs. I have never been bad with money EVER. GRRRR And btw, whenever I've played monopoly I've been the Banker, looking after everyone elses money! haha
I've never been in debt my whole life and don't intend to! Debit cards, no credit cards, no loans etc...just pure benefits coming in, phone bills and petrol going out. The main letting agent where I'm looking to rent has the best properties for me, but the WHOLE letting agent is branded as a 'NO HB' agent. THAT is discrimination.
Anyone who misses a rent payment and is on benefits, shouldn't be on benefits. They're frauds if they're not looking after their money. Any legit person on benefits watches for that money to come in everyday it's due in their account and makes sure not to spend too much. There's no way a legit person would miss a payment.
148
Startraveller2011-03-02 22:16:23
I was lucky enough to be able to rent a one bed property while on HB two years ago and I am still there. I am not brilliant with money but, when that HB payment hits my bank it goes straight to my landlord, no arguments. The only reason I am on HB is that I am finding it hard to find a job. I spend most of my time looking as, being unemployed, I have nothing much else to occupy my time with. Last year I had a problem with my bank and they closed my account. That meant that the HB payments bounced back to the council. This continued for some time, resulting in rent owing to the landlord. The council needed to see recent bank statements but the bank couldn't give them to me as my account had been "archived". During the several months it took to get the statements (constantly badgering the bank), I kept my landlord informed of every step. I eventually managed to get the statements and the council handed over the back rent (nearly £3000), which I then gave directly to my landlord. He was happy, I was happy and no problems since. I hate the idea that all HB tenants are considered drunks, drug users, criminals etc. I don't drink or do drugs and the only crime I've commited is being unemployed. I am now looking for a 1 or two bed place for myself and my fiancee, but am finding very hard as most ads have the dreaded "NO DSS" at the bottom. I would dearly love things to change.
149
annmarie2011-03-04 21:13:52
i have two kids one 5years old and one 6m old and all my rooms have damp in them and i keep tell my landlord and she wont came and get it fix
150
Kay2011-04-02 04:27:29
I disagree with the writer of this, I think that it is really ignorant and discriminative against people on low incomes. I started recieving LHA after I went part time at University(for good reasons), I also work part time but need the LHA to keep a roof over my head. My landlord has never had a problem with me paying my rent, and if I personally have issues with being paid for my housing I can use my savings to help pay the rent until I have sorted things out, these issues happen when my situation changes. It is very difficult to find a new place, even a cheaper place to live when so many landlords don't want to accept tenants on benefits, when a tenant on benefits will gaurantee that that person will have the money to pay as long as they aren't fraudulent. I also believe that it is better for the tenant instead of the landlord to be paid the benefit as if too much has been paid then the tenant and not the landlord is responsible for it.
What will you landlords do if your tenant suddenly lost their job, or became ill/disabled and had to go on benefits to continue paying you. Will you throw that same person out simply because they are now dss... I'm sure the switch to dss wouldn't have changed that good tenant into dirty scum who cant handle their money!
What will you landlords do if your tenant suddenly lost their job, or became ill/disabled and had to go on benefits to continue paying you. Will you throw that same person out simply because they are now dss... I'm sure the switch to dss wouldn't have changed that good tenant into dirty scum who cant handle their money!
151
Airedale12011-04-02 10:29:18
Anne Marie,
I have a lot of experience with tenants who complain of damp in every room.
I would hazard a guess that the building is perhaps of the age where such things such as double glazing were not invented when the house was built. This means a severe case of a lack of ventilation.
I could understand 1 or two rooms having the same condition due to a building fault, but if every room is the same either the roof is missing, you are living in a basement or the air cannot circulate.
If you have young children and you are constantly washing clothes and drying them - the water vapour from the clothes cannot escape and it has to go somewhere. (Your walls).
If this is the cause - I would suggest opening the double glazing to the 1st notch, (All units have this facility), it keeps the window locked but allows air to circulate. If you don't - you will get black spot mould which is hazardous to your health.
This is not controlled by your landlord - it is caused by you doing the things that young mums have to do with kids.
I have banned all drying of clothes in my flats and houseshares in any other room other than bathrooms and appropriate vented tumble dryers.
I supply communal dryers, and I will charge tenants for damage caused by this problem - they have no excuse as I even provide them with free electricity to make sure we don't get this damage ocurring.
It is a nightmare of a problem, despite countless times telling tenants to stop sealing wall vents over with paper. They think they are stopping draughts - but they are allowing humidity to get out of control.
Since I got "heavy" with the tenant's the problem has dissappeared, but it costs me an extra £15 per month in electricity, but its a lot cheaper than decorating damaged flats every six months.
I have a lot of experience with tenants who complain of damp in every room.
I would hazard a guess that the building is perhaps of the age where such things such as double glazing were not invented when the house was built. This means a severe case of a lack of ventilation.
I could understand 1 or two rooms having the same condition due to a building fault, but if every room is the same either the roof is missing, you are living in a basement or the air cannot circulate.
If you have young children and you are constantly washing clothes and drying them - the water vapour from the clothes cannot escape and it has to go somewhere. (Your walls).
If this is the cause - I would suggest opening the double glazing to the 1st notch, (All units have this facility), it keeps the window locked but allows air to circulate. If you don't - you will get black spot mould which is hazardous to your health.
This is not controlled by your landlord - it is caused by you doing the things that young mums have to do with kids.
I have banned all drying of clothes in my flats and houseshares in any other room other than bathrooms and appropriate vented tumble dryers.
I supply communal dryers, and I will charge tenants for damage caused by this problem - they have no excuse as I even provide them with free electricity to make sure we don't get this damage ocurring.
It is a nightmare of a problem, despite countless times telling tenants to stop sealing wall vents over with paper. They think they are stopping draughts - but they are allowing humidity to get out of control.
Since I got "heavy" with the tenant's the problem has dissappeared, but it costs me an extra £15 per month in electricity, but its a lot cheaper than decorating damaged flats every six months.
152
Airedale12011-04-02 10:51:05
Kay,
I understand your sentiment, but you have to understand that landlords are terrified of being bankrupted by people on benefits.
This week I have had to pay another set of court fees for 3 wayward benefit claimants, who thanks to the LHA direct payment to tenants system have simply spent the rent.
Its only after 8 weeks arrears + a minimum 2 week notice of impending court case (Section 8 notice) + 1 month for the court to hear the case and then 2 weeks minimum of a repossession notice after the hearing, that the property might be clawed back from the little shits who have pocketed the money.
Thats a minimum of 17 weeks without rent before a property can be got back from a thieving, decietful, lying, benefit cheat.
Multiply that by 3 of the bastards and anticipate that they will be classed as homeless and then the fuckers will be able to jump the housing queque and start the process all over again.
They have no money - or they wouldn't get the benefit in the first place.
So lets assume they all claim £75 per week.
£75 x 17 weeks is £1275
Plus the Court Fee £100
Which is £1375 per bastard.
In the meantime this money has to generated / obtained from somewhere else so that the landord can meet their mortgage commitments. So that an even bigger loss.
Now you may wish that you could manage your own affairs - great - well done!
But the landlords have nothing against you - its the shit tossing, bankruptcy making benefit cheating scum out there causing the problem.
The penalty for their crime is absolutley NOTHING - they will NEVER have to pay that money back - that is what gets landlords angry.
There is no punishment for theiving and breaching the contract and deceit.
Remember that that money could have been spent on repairs and upgrades. Professional landlords are only to happy to upgrade properties (That way they can claim tax relief).
Instead they have to pay for a silly legal process that is slow, expensive and so archaic that you have to go through it to see how 19th century it is.
I understand your sentiment, but you have to understand that landlords are terrified of being bankrupted by people on benefits.
This week I have had to pay another set of court fees for 3 wayward benefit claimants, who thanks to the LHA direct payment to tenants system have simply spent the rent.
Its only after 8 weeks arrears + a minimum 2 week notice of impending court case (Section 8 notice) + 1 month for the court to hear the case and then 2 weeks minimum of a repossession notice after the hearing, that the property might be clawed back from the little shits who have pocketed the money.
Thats a minimum of 17 weeks without rent before a property can be got back from a thieving, decietful, lying, benefit cheat.
Multiply that by 3 of the bastards and anticipate that they will be classed as homeless and then the fuckers will be able to jump the housing queque and start the process all over again.
They have no money - or they wouldn't get the benefit in the first place.
So lets assume they all claim £75 per week.
£75 x 17 weeks is £1275
Plus the Court Fee £100
Which is £1375 per bastard.
In the meantime this money has to generated / obtained from somewhere else so that the landord can meet their mortgage commitments. So that an even bigger loss.
Now you may wish that you could manage your own affairs - great - well done!
But the landlords have nothing against you - its the shit tossing, bankruptcy making benefit cheating scum out there causing the problem.
The penalty for their crime is absolutley NOTHING - they will NEVER have to pay that money back - that is what gets landlords angry.
There is no punishment for theiving and breaching the contract and deceit.
Remember that that money could have been spent on repairs and upgrades. Professional landlords are only to happy to upgrade properties (That way they can claim tax relief).
Instead they have to pay for a silly legal process that is slow, expensive and so archaic that you have to go through it to see how 19th century it is.
153
Jools2011-04-02 11:11:50
@Airdale1: Completely agree with your comments.
I would add though that opening the window to the first notch can sometimes make matters worse especially in the winter due to the fact you are letting more cold air in which then condenses in the warm house to produce more water vapour. A real issue as you say with people drying clothes etc in rooms and on rads.
Only way is to fit extractor fans (like the Ventaxia low carbon which runs 24/7 at very low speeds to keep air circulating) to the problem areas or use dehumidifiers.
Sesond way is to 'educate' the tenants. I once had a tenant complaining of rising damp at the ceiling level! Cavity wall insulation should help to reduce dampness by creating a 'heat break' between the cold air outside and the warm air inside the property.
Good advice Airedale1
Jools
I would add though that opening the window to the first notch can sometimes make matters worse especially in the winter due to the fact you are letting more cold air in which then condenses in the warm house to produce more water vapour. A real issue as you say with people drying clothes etc in rooms and on rads.
Only way is to fit extractor fans (like the Ventaxia low carbon which runs 24/7 at very low speeds to keep air circulating) to the problem areas or use dehumidifiers.
Sesond way is to 'educate' the tenants. I once had a tenant complaining of rising damp at the ceiling level! Cavity wall insulation should help to reduce dampness by creating a 'heat break' between the cold air outside and the warm air inside the property.
Good advice Airedale1
Jools
154
Jools2011-04-02 11:13:47
@Airedale1: Completely agree with your second lot of comments! You want to become my housing minister in my virtual government? LOL
Jools
Jools
155
Airedale12011-04-02 12:46:13
Jools,
I would love to be your housing minister - they would erect statues in your honour after my term in office.
I would run the pathetic managers of the LHA system out of office and then ask to be moved and placed in charge of the small claims service. Which is an absolute national disgrace and rip up the civil procedure rules, which are simply there to trip up anyone without a law degree or a solicitor. Which makes their cases fail on paperwork technicalities.
I am watching with some bemusement at the tories within the government get to grips with all that is wrong with our housing and benefits system.
I sympathise with them - they must be amazed at the complexity that the civil service has built into the system.
The tendrils of each cancerous bit of legislation crosses boundries, which ministers cannot cross without permission from another section of government.
To deal with renting a house and getting it back crosses from the FSA, OFT, The Housing Act, The Protection from Eviction Act 1977, The Ministry of Justice, The Local Authority Ombudsman, The Benefits Service, Environmental Health all the way back to your local council.
You'd think you had a life - but its just crazy!
I would love to be your housing minister - they would erect statues in your honour after my term in office.
I would run the pathetic managers of the LHA system out of office and then ask to be moved and placed in charge of the small claims service. Which is an absolute national disgrace and rip up the civil procedure rules, which are simply there to trip up anyone without a law degree or a solicitor. Which makes their cases fail on paperwork technicalities.
I am watching with some bemusement at the tories within the government get to grips with all that is wrong with our housing and benefits system.
I sympathise with them - they must be amazed at the complexity that the civil service has built into the system.
The tendrils of each cancerous bit of legislation crosses boundries, which ministers cannot cross without permission from another section of government.
To deal with renting a house and getting it back crosses from the FSA, OFT, The Housing Act, The Protection from Eviction Act 1977, The Ministry of Justice, The Local Authority Ombudsman, The Benefits Service, Environmental Health all the way back to your local council.
You'd think you had a life - but its just crazy!
156
Midlander2011-04-21 15:52:06
I thought this might interest some landlords. Or not, as the case may be.
http://www.independent.co.uk/money/mortgages/no-tenant-what-about-the-homeless-2108709.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/money/mortgages/no-tenant-what-about-the-homeless-2108709.html
157
Airedale12011-04-22 14:33:52
I very nice idea Midlander, but why have such a celebrity as Phil Spencer heading it?
If the government gave back some control to landlords there would be a lot more landlords willing to take such risks.
But the main problem is simply insurance companies and mortgage providers.-
Why don't we tell our insurance company that we intend to let for 5 years to ex drug traffickers and drink abusers?
That would go down a treat.(Sarcasm)
I have personally dealt with and also I am dealing with ex offenders - and I can assure you, that come the day of any claim - any decent insurance loss adjuster will simply void any claim I make for malicous damage etc.
So I have to do it with a poultry guarantee bond of £350 from Flintshire County Council.
That compares to a property value of £170,000.
It's pathetic and refelcts the true deal available to landlords.
If the government gave back some control to landlords there would be a lot more landlords willing to take such risks.
But the main problem is simply insurance companies and mortgage providers.-
Why don't we tell our insurance company that we intend to let for 5 years to ex drug traffickers and drink abusers?
That would go down a treat.(Sarcasm)
I have personally dealt with and also I am dealing with ex offenders - and I can assure you, that come the day of any claim - any decent insurance loss adjuster will simply void any claim I make for malicous damage etc.
So I have to do it with a poultry guarantee bond of £350 from Flintshire County Council.
That compares to a property value of £170,000.
It's pathetic and refelcts the true deal available to landlords.
158
Midlander2011-04-22 14:41:30
I don't think you have actually read the article, Airedale1.
Phil Spencer is involved with this scheme.
[quote]"Broadway guarantees finding a tenant for the long term – say, five years – so no chopping and changing. They pay a decent rent for the property – not full market but not that much below – and, best of all, they maintain the property and guarantee to return it in as good a condition as it was let. That's a pretty good deal for landlords."[/quote]
Try reading it again! :)
Phil Spencer is involved with this scheme.
[quote]"Broadway guarantees finding a tenant for the long term – say, five years – so no chopping and changing. They pay a decent rent for the property – not full market but not that much below – and, best of all, they maintain the property and guarantee to return it in as good a condition as it was let. That's a pretty good deal for landlords."[/quote]
Try reading it again! :)
159
Midlander2011-04-22 14:42:20
(Sorry - the quote facility doesn't appear to work here!)
160
Airedale12011-04-22 15:10:06
I totally agree Midlander,
but as I stated, it is being promoted by "Phil Spencer".
But it shouldn't require a Special scheme - should it?
I would like to walk into any government building with an LHA claimant and know that I will have their backing if the tenant turns out to be a knob head, who steals benefit designed to pay towards housing costs.
But alas, what we have at the moment is various departments who treat landlords as if they have committed a crime or battered their granny over the head and she's lying in a coma.
That is BEFORE we even sign a tenancy agreement.
If you have a tenancy in an area controlled by a LABOUR council, my god - I'm sure they train them in a university run by Stalin's grandkids.
For example:
Liverpool at the moment have a dreadful department called "Landlord Control", which just about says it all in the title.
That is a political toy designed by local politicians to control a mass of local businesses in one swoop.
Even my letting agent won't accept LHA from Liverpool anymore.
It is treating landlords within and around the city appallingly. They cannot be reached by phone and any communication has to be done through the Housing Benefit switchboard. You cannot deal with anyone in that department.
They have a staff compliment of FOUR people for a whole city of private landlords. They currently have a backlog of work going back to February and any case is dealt with in a strict date order.
You have to pray that your case does not need any amendments, because if it does - it goes back to the back of the queque.
In the meantime - Life goes on in the real World.
The landlord has to issue a Section 8 notice on the tenant and start county court eviction proceedings or face no money for months.
So yes I would like Phil Spencer to "Promote" the idea, but in Liverpool the council has declared war by the back door on the Government and is hell bent on causing homelessness and making a political point.
Next Thursday - I am in the County court facing up to the council and a tenant, who I will be evicting before he makes me bankrupt.
The day after I shall be in Birkenhead County Court across the water asking for another judge to evict a tenant who has decided to pocket his LHA instead of paying his housing costs.
The whole system is rigged against the landlord.
The scheme promoted is excellent - but they haven't knocked on my door yet, - when they do , I will have a couple of empty flats.
In the meantime, I shall brace myself for spiteful retribution from a benefit fraudster, who will be classed as homeless with a County Court order in their hand to prove it and will go to the front of the housing queque.
So yes - a great scheme - I don't suppose they will tell us who insures the property - so that I can ask for a quote.
but as I stated, it is being promoted by "Phil Spencer".
But it shouldn't require a Special scheme - should it?
I would like to walk into any government building with an LHA claimant and know that I will have their backing if the tenant turns out to be a knob head, who steals benefit designed to pay towards housing costs.
But alas, what we have at the moment is various departments who treat landlords as if they have committed a crime or battered their granny over the head and she's lying in a coma.
That is BEFORE we even sign a tenancy agreement.
If you have a tenancy in an area controlled by a LABOUR council, my god - I'm sure they train them in a university run by Stalin's grandkids.
For example:
Liverpool at the moment have a dreadful department called "Landlord Control", which just about says it all in the title.
That is a political toy designed by local politicians to control a mass of local businesses in one swoop.
Even my letting agent won't accept LHA from Liverpool anymore.
It is treating landlords within and around the city appallingly. They cannot be reached by phone and any communication has to be done through the Housing Benefit switchboard. You cannot deal with anyone in that department.
They have a staff compliment of FOUR people for a whole city of private landlords. They currently have a backlog of work going back to February and any case is dealt with in a strict date order.
You have to pray that your case does not need any amendments, because if it does - it goes back to the back of the queque.
In the meantime - Life goes on in the real World.
The landlord has to issue a Section 8 notice on the tenant and start county court eviction proceedings or face no money for months.
So yes I would like Phil Spencer to "Promote" the idea, but in Liverpool the council has declared war by the back door on the Government and is hell bent on causing homelessness and making a political point.
Next Thursday - I am in the County court facing up to the council and a tenant, who I will be evicting before he makes me bankrupt.
The day after I shall be in Birkenhead County Court across the water asking for another judge to evict a tenant who has decided to pocket his LHA instead of paying his housing costs.
The whole system is rigged against the landlord.
The scheme promoted is excellent - but they haven't knocked on my door yet, - when they do , I will have a couple of empty flats.
In the meantime, I shall brace myself for spiteful retribution from a benefit fraudster, who will be classed as homeless with a County Court order in their hand to prove it and will go to the front of the housing queque.
So yes - a great scheme - I don't suppose they will tell us who insures the property - so that I can ask for a quote.
161
Midlander2011-04-22 19:01:45
http://www.reallettings.com/ - they have a contact us button.
http://www.philspencer.tv/ for any questions you might want to put to hom - he has a contacr me button too.
http://www.philspencer.tv/ for any questions you might want to put to hom - he has a contacr me button too.
162
Chris2011-07-17 01:12:59
Why don't bad tenants become extremely bad tenants and just SQUAT your gaffs, the squater is protected by law.
Its a Civil case in England and Wales, So an eviction notice would need to be served.
Its only a criminal case in Scotland with up to 21 days in jail.
Its a Civil case in England and Wales, So an eviction notice would need to be served.
Its only a criminal case in Scotland with up to 21 days in jail.
163
Midlander2011-08-27 22:13:39
@ Chris
There was a case very recently of a woman who went away for the weekend, and when she got back - there were Romanian squatters in her house! They were drinking her wine & the women were wearing her clothes...they had packed up everything else in bin bags & left them outside.
Anyway, she applied for an eviction order the next day & got them out within 2 weeks. So much for the squatting solution. (Ironically she was an immigration officer!! lol)
There was a case very recently of a woman who went away for the weekend, and when she got back - there were Romanian squatters in her house! They were drinking her wine & the women were wearing her clothes...they had packed up everything else in bin bags & left them outside.
Anyway, she applied for an eviction order the next day & got them out within 2 weeks. So much for the squatting solution. (Ironically she was an immigration officer!! lol)
164
Owl2011-09-07 18:50:31
Hey this frustrated me as someone who has recently gone onto LHA in March I found it VERY difficult to find a landlord that takes DSS when i found one that did, I asked the LHA people to pay my rent stright into his account as it would be easier for me then me pay the difference.. they told me they would not do this.. WHAA so now each month i have to fuck about going into town to LHA too so i then have to make sure hes not over charging me which i found today he was trying to make out i owed him an extra 2 weeks! i went through with him his maths and managed to prove him wrong that i had been here for 25 weeks not 27... Anyways i get so annoyed to think that other people on LHA who are addicted to drugs can just go spend it and tarnish people like me who need it who are looking and trying there dam best to get a job only to find 90% of landlords with propertys that are in the range of my benifits to not accept dss ? or to have to move to a area full of ruffions that steal have partys till 6am and are just unplesent to live near.
thankfully its not too bad where i live now but something needs to be done so rent is not so god dam high, and that good DSS tenants such as myself don't have to suffer more so because the goverment have decided to let some twats control money that should not even be theres in the first place.
thankfully its not too bad where i live now but something needs to be done so rent is not so god dam high, and that good DSS tenants such as myself don't have to suffer more so because the goverment have decided to let some twats control money that should not even be theres in the first place.
165
Owl2011-09-07 19:04:23
and for those who hate squatters, become homeless unable to pay bond for a few months and see how you manage on the streets, unable to bathe, I know plenty of decent lovly squatters and people would not have to squat if rich bastards did not leave perfectly fine houses to rot, there are more empty houses than there are homeless the squatters i am friends with do up these empty propertys and make them livable its a small minority who destroy property, also the squatters i know raise money for charity's through gigs, put on nights to highten awareness of political issues and even do documentary nights in there cinimas they have built, when your bad mouthing these squatters i would like you to ask yourself something when you catagorize everyone into one boat, What the fuck do you do for your community? have you raised money for charitys? have you tryed to tackle problems of empty homes?have you got a empty house around that needs doing up ext
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Midlander2011-09-09 22:01:32
Owl - if you talk to prospective landlords the way you express yourself here, I'm not surprised they don't want to rent their properties to you. And who exactly has been 'bad mouthing' squatters?
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Owl2011-09-14 13:25:25
Theree was a comment earlyer on, I cant find it right now as I am waiting on a test for a job.
The thing is with this site, I dont need to be formal as I am not trying to get a house tbh
Its not that landlords do not want to rent there propertys to me its they dont want to rent it to DSS tendants and thats the issue, Where I live now I have done up his garden and all sorts the landlord is quite satified with how i upkeep the house no problems or issues, Yet someone who had a job robbed me, did not pay there rent yet it seems only people dependant on DSS get this lable. Attack on people who are on benifits much?
Main Stream Media Sucks.
The thing is with this site, I dont need to be formal as I am not trying to get a house tbh
Its not that landlords do not want to rent there propertys to me its they dont want to rent it to DSS tendants and thats the issue, Where I live now I have done up his garden and all sorts the landlord is quite satified with how i upkeep the house no problems or issues, Yet someone who had a job robbed me, did not pay there rent yet it seems only people dependant on DSS get this lable. Attack on people who are on benifits much?
Main Stream Media Sucks.
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Leanne2011-09-22 13:41:52
I believe both landlords and tennants can be troublesome. Not all DSS people are the same and there isn't enough help or landlords willing to accept it. It would solve part of the problem if landlords made it compulsory for DSS people to have written references from every property they have ever lived at and any concerns or issues should be cleared up with that landlord. Atleast they'd get a look in. The council cant help everyone and i know quite a few people who are still living at home with their folks and they are heading on for thirty because they have come to the conclusion that you have to be rich to move out. As for the LHA issue, what is the difference between a DSS person paying in their rent and a working citizen? People who work can be known to hold back money for things like christmas as well because everyone is struggling or will struggle at some point in their life. Either way, rent money has to come from somewhere and you're still at risk of not getting it from a working citizen if theyv had to take days off work due to illness or idleness.
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sandy2011-09-28 14:53:54
need help ive got a 12 mths assured shorthold tenacy agreement with a private landlord who said he is now takin me to court as ive left after only livin there 2 mths first because on bennifit yhe council was draggin there feet over how much rent he ask for also had to go back family prob
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Chris2011-09-28 20:13:36
sandy,
unsure. but why would the landlord go to the expense of sueing you for breach of contract? if you have nog money anyway? as the landlord is unlikely to recoup his 12 months rent.
Sounds like a right muppet & that the landlord hasn't thought it through at all.
unsure. but why would the landlord go to the expense of sueing you for breach of contract? if you have nog money anyway? as the landlord is unlikely to recoup his 12 months rent.
Sounds like a right muppet & that the landlord hasn't thought it through at all.
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helium2011-10-15 17:43:44
Hi all, I am a landlord and on June 1st I took on a pregnant woman with 2 children aged 6&9. I advertised with an agent because I wanted him to get references off perspective tenants for me. I gave him 5 weeks notice of when my property would become vacant and he found her within the first week. He then stopped advertising the property and the day she was due to move in he decided to tell me that her references wouldn't check out, i.e they wouldn't answer their phones.
I had met with the tenant the previous day and I liked her, I too was pregnant so we had a good chat. She phoned me the day she was due to move in to tell me that the letting agent was not phoning her previous landlord or work referee at the right times and that if he phoned in the evenings which he hadn't done then they would have been able to answer and confirm things.
So instead of paying the agent for a job which he didn't do or risk having my property epmty while he found me somebody else I decided to terminate his services. I then took the tenant on at my own risk and she gave me the references plus 2 months rent (1st and final)and I drew up my own tenancy agreement which we both signed. I then gave her the keys and she moved in. She paid July's rent but that is it, she hasn't paid anymore.
I phoned housing when she didn't pay and they confirmed that she had been receiving LHA from the start. She hadn't told them about her partner that was living with her and she hadn't told them about the new baby. They said when she was 2 months in arrears they would pay me direct.
They sent her letters and because she didn't reply they have stopped her claim so now they will not pay me. I have had complaints off the neighbours about her, she has damaged a kitchen cupboard but will not let me into the property without a warrant of entry no matter how many notices in writing i give her to carry out an inspection. Her work reference turned out to be from her mum and her previous landlord reference was from her mums husband who jointly owns the house in question with her mum.
She has been commiting benefit fraud for years because the 6 year old has the same father as the new baby and thats why she didn't tell housing about him because the same surname would have sparked an investigation.
So she now owes me £1650 in rent plus it will take me another few months to get her out through the courts.
To top it all off the property has now been empty for 2 weeks as she is in a safe house because her partner beat her up again which the neighbours tell me is a regular occurance. She is also only known as a different name by people and not the one she claims under.
My buy to let mortgage still has to be paid and my family is suffering as we have to scrimp and save. All this and my baby is 9 weeks old and feel like I haven't been able to enjoy my time with her as I am constantly worried. I also have 3 other children and a husband who are suffering.
Why should I be made to put a roof over this fraudsters head for free while she continues to damage my property and not even attempt to contact me or answer my letters. The section 8 expired on Oct 7th, but her stuff is still in the property.
She hasn't paid any bills either. The section 21 expires Dec 1st.
Moral: I will never rent to DSS again.
I had met with the tenant the previous day and I liked her, I too was pregnant so we had a good chat. She phoned me the day she was due to move in to tell me that the letting agent was not phoning her previous landlord or work referee at the right times and that if he phoned in the evenings which he hadn't done then they would have been able to answer and confirm things.
So instead of paying the agent for a job which he didn't do or risk having my property epmty while he found me somebody else I decided to terminate his services. I then took the tenant on at my own risk and she gave me the references plus 2 months rent (1st and final)and I drew up my own tenancy agreement which we both signed. I then gave her the keys and she moved in. She paid July's rent but that is it, she hasn't paid anymore.
I phoned housing when she didn't pay and they confirmed that she had been receiving LHA from the start. She hadn't told them about her partner that was living with her and she hadn't told them about the new baby. They said when she was 2 months in arrears they would pay me direct.
They sent her letters and because she didn't reply they have stopped her claim so now they will not pay me. I have had complaints off the neighbours about her, she has damaged a kitchen cupboard but will not let me into the property without a warrant of entry no matter how many notices in writing i give her to carry out an inspection. Her work reference turned out to be from her mum and her previous landlord reference was from her mums husband who jointly owns the house in question with her mum.
She has been commiting benefit fraud for years because the 6 year old has the same father as the new baby and thats why she didn't tell housing about him because the same surname would have sparked an investigation.
So she now owes me £1650 in rent plus it will take me another few months to get her out through the courts.
To top it all off the property has now been empty for 2 weeks as she is in a safe house because her partner beat her up again which the neighbours tell me is a regular occurance. She is also only known as a different name by people and not the one she claims under.
My buy to let mortgage still has to be paid and my family is suffering as we have to scrimp and save. All this and my baby is 9 weeks old and feel like I haven't been able to enjoy my time with her as I am constantly worried. I also have 3 other children and a husband who are suffering.
Why should I be made to put a roof over this fraudsters head for free while she continues to damage my property and not even attempt to contact me or answer my letters. The section 8 expired on Oct 7th, but her stuff is still in the property.
She hasn't paid any bills either. The section 21 expires Dec 1st.
Moral: I will never rent to DSS again.
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Chris2011-10-15 22:50:47
helium
That's a horrible situation.
I've had crap landlords when I was younger and some great ones,
I wouldn't say they are all bad. I wouldn't tar all landlords or those on Housing Benefits the same. They are unemployed for a reason.
Buy her a tent for Christmas because that's where she will end up.
That's a horrible situation.
I've had crap landlords when I was younger and some great ones,
I wouldn't say they are all bad. I wouldn't tar all landlords or those on Housing Benefits the same. They are unemployed for a reason.
Buy her a tent for Christmas because that's where she will end up.
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helium2011-10-16 11:45:41
Thanks Chris I know what u mean, but I can't afford to take that risk ever again. Once I ger her out I think I will just sell the place.
I am so sick of being skint. I used to live in the property up until 6 years ago when we had to move out to be nearer the school that I wanted my little boy to go to. I couldn't get a good price for it because there is no parking but it is a good big house. We just spent £10000 on it doing it up before she moved in and it was far smarter than when i lived in it. I had a new pvc front door put in for her in the first week she moved in because i remembered the draft that used to come in the wooden one. I should have saved my money as she doesn't appreciate anything :(
She was full of promises and now she is just full of threats.
I can't believe it, we spent all this time and money on it making it perfect and then along comes a fraudster and they can just wreck it on you, upset the neighbours, Pay no rent or bills and still it takes months to get rid of them. It's just not fair.
The council will not rehome her but I bet they would come down on me like a tonne of bricks if i didn't evict her through the courts and cost myself more time and money. So it looks like it is my job to keep a free roof over her head. Lucky me hey?
I am so sick of being skint. I used to live in the property up until 6 years ago when we had to move out to be nearer the school that I wanted my little boy to go to. I couldn't get a good price for it because there is no parking but it is a good big house. We just spent £10000 on it doing it up before she moved in and it was far smarter than when i lived in it. I had a new pvc front door put in for her in the first week she moved in because i remembered the draft that used to come in the wooden one. I should have saved my money as she doesn't appreciate anything :(
She was full of promises and now she is just full of threats.
I can't believe it, we spent all this time and money on it making it perfect and then along comes a fraudster and they can just wreck it on you, upset the neighbours, Pay no rent or bills and still it takes months to get rid of them. It's just not fair.
The council will not rehome her but I bet they would come down on me like a tonne of bricks if i didn't evict her through the courts and cost myself more time and money. So it looks like it is my job to keep a free roof over her head. Lucky me hey?
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Midlander2011-10-16 14:50:16
Helium
That is a dreadful story and I feel for you. However, surely the comment that the work reference person had to be contacted only in the evenings (??) should have rung an alarm bell?
A friend of mine rented her house to a Nigerian lawyer (with impeccable references, of course!) who also only paid the first month's rent. He also turfed all her furniture out into the garden, and it was destroyed by rain & inclement weather. It's also costing her an arm & a leg to get him out, and he had nothing to do with DSS. So there are good & bad tenants everywhere, I'm afraid, it just seems to the luck of the draw!
That is a dreadful story and I feel for you. However, surely the comment that the work reference person had to be contacted only in the evenings (??) should have rung an alarm bell?
A friend of mine rented her house to a Nigerian lawyer (with impeccable references, of course!) who also only paid the first month's rent. He also turfed all her furniture out into the garden, and it was destroyed by rain & inclement weather. It's also costing her an arm & a leg to get him out, and he had nothing to do with DSS. So there are good & bad tenants everywhere, I'm afraid, it just seems to the luck of the draw!
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Chris2011-10-17 01:03:00
I was lead to believe that Housing Benefit was for those on other Welfare benefits like Job Seekers Allowance.
And that Local Housing Allowance was for those on low paid jobs.
Am I wrong?
or
Am I correct?
And that Local Housing Allowance was for those on low paid jobs.
Am I wrong?
or
Am I correct?
176
Paul2011-10-17 06:52:13
Don't take this the wrong way Chris, but if you're a landlord. I suggest you don't go renting out your property until you've gone to the DirectGov website and familiarised yourself with the benefit system.
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owl2011-10-17 19:29:26
this would not even be a issue if the government did not sell off tons of council houses without investing in new ones. Not to mention there are more unused houses than there are homeless
I have some friends who are squatters trying to help solve this issue, they go into empty abandoned houses/factorys/shops one group is even in a abandoned shopping center.
They have gone in started to rebuild it some of which have jobs they all pay there bills they have made a cinema in one of them yet the government attacked them during the royal wedding, I was at one squat protesting outside to be let back in, everyone was arrested they had all there equipment taken from them without a list of everything the police took, we also spotted some of there laptops smashed up.
The police tried to get the landlord to throw them out but the landlord wants and lets them be there as they keep drug addicts, drunks, vandalizers out as well as keep the property from being unusable.
since they first moved in they have redone all the electrics, fixed some stairs, turned a roof area into a garden, painted all the walls, fixing some of the ceilings, flooring up as a lot of the wood had rotted and electrics were no longer suitable for computers and laptops saving the landlord tons of cash they also refitted a kitchen in the communal area.
Yet this dose not get shown in the media
I have some friends who are squatters trying to help solve this issue, they go into empty abandoned houses/factorys/shops one group is even in a abandoned shopping center.
They have gone in started to rebuild it some of which have jobs they all pay there bills they have made a cinema in one of them yet the government attacked them during the royal wedding, I was at one squat protesting outside to be let back in, everyone was arrested they had all there equipment taken from them without a list of everything the police took, we also spotted some of there laptops smashed up.
The police tried to get the landlord to throw them out but the landlord wants and lets them be there as they keep drug addicts, drunks, vandalizers out as well as keep the property from being unusable.
since they first moved in they have redone all the electrics, fixed some stairs, turned a roof area into a garden, painted all the walls, fixing some of the ceilings, flooring up as a lot of the wood had rotted and electrics were no longer suitable for computers and laptops saving the landlord tons of cash they also refitted a kitchen in the communal area.
Yet this dose not get shown in the media
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Mike2011-10-31 17:43:22
As someone who has always been employed (and remain so) I and my family have recently fallen into the "benefits trap".
I was,until 4 years ago, on what was cosidered a quite good wage but by no means a high earner.As a result of the circumstances that have affected so many of us in recent times I now find myself in a poorly paid but professional job (I work for the ambulance Service,NHS not private)However because property prices in our area are so high, both rental and sale prices, we have had no option but to go onto LHA although we by no means receive the full amount it does help to pay our rent with whichwe would otherwise struggle.
Whilst there is no doubt in my mind that there are terrible tenants out there, they are not all as a result of being on benfits and there are probably just as manywho are in receipt of no benefits at all. Equally there are just as many rogue landlords, who to be honest are better protected than their tenants. After all a landlord,for a small insurance premium, can protect their income regardless of whether the tenant pays or not.On the other hand if a tenant is being treated badly by a landlord and refuses to carry out repairs or maintenance IAW the Tenanacy Agreement and the law of the land, the tenant has the right to compalin and take certain prescribed actions but does so knowing that they risk eviction.
We Moved into our current rental property almost three years ago and all contracts and agreements have been legitimate and above board via a registered and recognised letting agent. The property itself is fairly basic and was riddled with problems and despite the agreement being in place being a large educational establishment within the village of Writtle, they either delayed or refused to carry out the work required. We as tenants loved being here and decided to undertake as much ofthe work as we could ourselves.Now the standard that we are happy with has beenreached,guess what, we are being evicted. We havenever been behind in our paymets, but they say theywant the property back for staff,this despite the property being empty for three years prior to iour tenancy and the one next door being empty for the last 6 months.
I know this has been along post but I would just like to point out again that there are good and bad tenants across the financial spectrum and godd and bad landlords too. Not everyone should be tarred with the same brush simply because they find themselves less fortunate than others
I was,until 4 years ago, on what was cosidered a quite good wage but by no means a high earner.As a result of the circumstances that have affected so many of us in recent times I now find myself in a poorly paid but professional job (I work for the ambulance Service,NHS not private)However because property prices in our area are so high, both rental and sale prices, we have had no option but to go onto LHA although we by no means receive the full amount it does help to pay our rent with whichwe would otherwise struggle.
Whilst there is no doubt in my mind that there are terrible tenants out there, they are not all as a result of being on benfits and there are probably just as manywho are in receipt of no benefits at all. Equally there are just as many rogue landlords, who to be honest are better protected than their tenants. After all a landlord,for a small insurance premium, can protect their income regardless of whether the tenant pays or not.On the other hand if a tenant is being treated badly by a landlord and refuses to carry out repairs or maintenance IAW the Tenanacy Agreement and the law of the land, the tenant has the right to compalin and take certain prescribed actions but does so knowing that they risk eviction.
We Moved into our current rental property almost three years ago and all contracts and agreements have been legitimate and above board via a registered and recognised letting agent. The property itself is fairly basic and was riddled with problems and despite the agreement being in place being a large educational establishment within the village of Writtle, they either delayed or refused to carry out the work required. We as tenants loved being here and decided to undertake as much ofthe work as we could ourselves.Now the standard that we are happy with has beenreached,guess what, we are being evicted. We havenever been behind in our paymets, but they say theywant the property back for staff,this despite the property being empty for three years prior to iour tenancy and the one next door being empty for the last 6 months.
I know this has been along post but I would just like to point out again that there are good and bad tenants across the financial spectrum and godd and bad landlords too. Not everyone should be tarred with the same brush simply because they find themselves less fortunate than others
179
Midlander2011-10-31 20:03:46
Mike, did your landlord/agent put your deposit into a Deposit Protection Scheme? If not, you can zap him/them, through the local county court, for the amount of the deposit + three x this amount. If you take the landlord to court for this breach then the courts must make the landlord pay you back the original deposit plus an amount of 3 times the deposit itself. Check it out - it may be a way to get your own back!
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Mike2011-11-01 01:49:05
Hi Midlander
Thanks for advice,but yes, everything has been done correctly, including the deposit being put into a rent deposit scheme. Just annoys me that This landlord in particular seems to think that they can treat tenants as they wish. Many of their staff live in houses provided by them and are also treated equally badly, themain difference being that they don't pay any rent. We have been paying £825 per monthand carrying out most of the repairs / upgrades ourselves because they lead us to believe taht we would be able to have this property for a good few years. May seem naive but we took that intimation in good faith. We have had a previous Landlord who told us the same thing andthen returned from Austalia 2 years later saying she wanted her house back.
In this case we are not taking it laying down. We will appeal to to the Estate Manager, and then the college principle. If that fails we will leave the house exactly as we found it(prior to repairs etc) and have also been advised that because they failed to meet their contractual obligations we can sue for compensation.
Has anybody else gone down this route and if so did you have any success
Thanks for advice,but yes, everything has been done correctly, including the deposit being put into a rent deposit scheme. Just annoys me that This landlord in particular seems to think that they can treat tenants as they wish. Many of their staff live in houses provided by them and are also treated equally badly, themain difference being that they don't pay any rent. We have been paying £825 per monthand carrying out most of the repairs / upgrades ourselves because they lead us to believe taht we would be able to have this property for a good few years. May seem naive but we took that intimation in good faith. We have had a previous Landlord who told us the same thing andthen returned from Austalia 2 years later saying she wanted her house back.
In this case we are not taking it laying down. We will appeal to to the Estate Manager, and then the college principle. If that fails we will leave the house exactly as we found it(prior to repairs etc) and have also been advised that because they failed to meet their contractual obligations we can sue for compensation.
Has anybody else gone down this route and if so did you have any success
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Cardifflandlord2011-11-01 08:37:07
Re: zapping for 3 times deposit.
Not true due to a recent legal precedent.
Judge ruled that as long as the LL made the deposit before the court date not fine could be levied essentially making the deposit protection services obsolete.
Not true due to a recent legal precedent.
Judge ruled that as long as the LL made the deposit before the court date not fine could be levied essentially making the deposit protection services obsolete.
182
Worried Landlord2011-11-03 10:40:25
I have had a tennant for 10 years+ payment of rent has not been regular but always paid in the end (due to me working away ). Now I am semi retired the tennant tells me she has been dismissed from her job,not in the best of health, and the DSS will now be paying her rent (not my choice).As she will have to make up the shortfall I am concerned where this will come from? can anyone advise what I have to do now ref. council tax and where the rent is paid to.Any advice would be valued
183
Chris2011-11-03 12:57:36
Worried Landlord,
There is such a thing as rent insurance it might be worth looking into.
http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/landlord-insurance-quotes/
Plus below is the insurance name...
Rent Guarantee and Legal Expenses Insurance.
Ask more for more info on here..
There is such a thing as rent insurance it might be worth looking into.
http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/landlord-insurance-quotes/
Plus below is the insurance name...
Rent Guarantee and Legal Expenses Insurance.
Ask more for more info on here..
184
Cardifflandlord2011-11-03 13:56:34
@Worried Landlord: Rent insurance will only be accepted after a satisfactory credit check on the client.
I think worried landlord you have missed the opportunity here and will struggle to get insurance after the fact. You should not have to do anything. Payments will be direct to client but I would seriously consider getting them to sign a document authorising council to pay you direct. Also council tax should be sorted by tenant/council.
If you are worried then you are going to have to issue section 21 notice to recover property.
Instead of asking us why not ask the tenant how she intends to make up the shortfall? That would be the logical course of action surely as well as a matter of basic courtesy.
I think worried landlord you have missed the opportunity here and will struggle to get insurance after the fact. You should not have to do anything. Payments will be direct to client but I would seriously consider getting them to sign a document authorising council to pay you direct. Also council tax should be sorted by tenant/council.
If you are worried then you are going to have to issue section 21 notice to recover property.
Instead of asking us why not ask the tenant how she intends to make up the shortfall? That would be the logical course of action surely as well as a matter of basic courtesy.
185
hate rogue tenants2011-11-05 20:41:27
@Airedale comment 142
Thanks for your great thoughts, I totally agree with you. I have been done over not only by the Dss rogue tenant but the whole system, the local authority don't give a shit about private landlords and will not support them and will always side up with rent dodging tenants !! piss takers all for them
Thanks for your great thoughts, I totally agree with you. I have been done over not only by the Dss rogue tenant but the whole system, the local authority don't give a shit about private landlords and will not support them and will always side up with rent dodging tenants !! piss takers all for them
186
shaun2011-11-05 21:43:52
I have been on Housing Benefit and paid all my rent on time and explain to Ex-landlord if there were any problems and how long it would take to sort out the claim. The only thing was, he said that all fine until he found out I was gay. He got one off his tenant to get me out of the flat. There was no police help, the council did not worry to much. Plus I lots all off my items. So people cant just say it people on HB, you do get bad landlords too.
187
Suzy2011-11-23 13:18:44
The person who wrote this article must be the most ill educated human being ever!
188
David Booth2011-11-24 21:10:05
LHA, HB or what ever you call it theres a new solution for landlords & tennants.
I would like to take my time to introduce you to our new company Tasker Payment Services. The company is designed as a one of it's kind payment service for DSS claimants and their landlords. Customers who do not have a bank account, or have large overdrafts eating into their Local Housing Allowance can use our service to have the peace of mind that their rent is paid straight to their landlord's bank account on time, every time.
With much experience in dealing with such payments, landlords can rely on Tasker Payment Services to provide them and their tenants with a reliable and secure way of receiving their rent.
We are fully registered with the FSA (registration number 564939) and can be found on the FSA's register of payment service providers.
The idea behind our company is simple the tennant agrees to pay our company (Tasker Payment Services) the money they get from the LHA and the landlord gets paid from us fortnightly. All we take £4.00 transaction fee for transferring the money to the landlords bank account.
This also helps out the council because they dont have to deal with arrears and it could help the council because more landlords would want to register because they know they are going to get paid.
If you would like to visit our website http://taskerpaymentservices.co.uk/ and read a little more about us if you have any questions please feel free to ask.
I would like to take my time to introduce you to our new company Tasker Payment Services. The company is designed as a one of it's kind payment service for DSS claimants and their landlords. Customers who do not have a bank account, or have large overdrafts eating into their Local Housing Allowance can use our service to have the peace of mind that their rent is paid straight to their landlord's bank account on time, every time.
With much experience in dealing with such payments, landlords can rely on Tasker Payment Services to provide them and their tenants with a reliable and secure way of receiving their rent.
We are fully registered with the FSA (registration number 564939) and can be found on the FSA's register of payment service providers.
The idea behind our company is simple the tennant agrees to pay our company (Tasker Payment Services) the money they get from the LHA and the landlord gets paid from us fortnightly. All we take £4.00 transaction fee for transferring the money to the landlords bank account.
This also helps out the council because they dont have to deal with arrears and it could help the council because more landlords would want to register because they know they are going to get paid.
If you would like to visit our website http://taskerpaymentservices.co.uk/ and read a little more about us if you have any questions please feel free to ask.
189
Midlander2011-11-24 22:32:05
David, you say:
"the tennant (sic) agrees to pay our company the money they get from the LHA"
But a tenant, when they sign a tenancy agreement, agrees to pay this money to their landlord anyway, and this does not always happen... does it?! What does your comapny do for its £4-per-transaction? Does it pay the landlord anyway if the tenant does not fulfil his/her agreement with you? And do you then undertake to chase up the tenant for the dosh?
"the tennant (sic) agrees to pay our company the money they get from the LHA"
But a tenant, when they sign a tenancy agreement, agrees to pay this money to their landlord anyway, and this does not always happen... does it?! What does your comapny do for its £4-per-transaction? Does it pay the landlord anyway if the tenant does not fulfil his/her agreement with you? And do you then undertake to chase up the tenant for the dosh?
190
Jane2011-11-24 23:33:41
I make sure anyone on HB agrees, and signs to say they do, to open a Credit Union account so the HB is paid into it. The Credit Union then pay the rent direct to me. I also get them to sign to say I can discuss any issues with the HB dept. In some areas you pay nothing, in other areas you may pay a nominal fee of around £5 per transaction. Maybe not perfect, but it helps to minimise the risk of non-payment of rent
191
Chris2011-11-25 13:12:53
David Booth,
Tasker,
Great idea.
So you act as escrow? the payment is paid into an account that the benefits receiver cant spend from?
I could make you a great website.
Tasker,
Great idea.
So you act as escrow? the payment is paid into an account that the benefits receiver cant spend from?
I could make you a great website.
192
deppressed landlord2011-11-29 21:44:26
@HELIUM 172
i am in a similar situation to you at the moment and i feel your pain. my section 8 has expired too and the tenant is staying put, obviously they have played this game over and over again and know the system. my tenant is in over £3000 rent arears and the council have taken the pisss and have continued to pay rent to the tenant despite my pleas..well i got in touch with the local councillor and she has been very supportive and got onto the housing benefit straight away and now finally the housing benefit has been redirected to myself. i dont know how long this will continue because my tenant keeps twisting the councils arm because they have made a decision to pay me previously then went back on their word and paid the tenant instead off me, these scums will be out sooner or later and we have learnt the hard way by getting our hands burnt the first time...but in the longer run they have made us a stronger person cz in the future we know all the tricks these scums play in order to scam and scrounge off you, best of luck and hang in there x
i am in a similar situation to you at the moment and i feel your pain. my section 8 has expired too and the tenant is staying put, obviously they have played this game over and over again and know the system. my tenant is in over £3000 rent arears and the council have taken the pisss and have continued to pay rent to the tenant despite my pleas..well i got in touch with the local councillor and she has been very supportive and got onto the housing benefit straight away and now finally the housing benefit has been redirected to myself. i dont know how long this will continue because my tenant keeps twisting the councils arm because they have made a decision to pay me previously then went back on their word and paid the tenant instead off me, these scums will be out sooner or later and we have learnt the hard way by getting our hands burnt the first time...but in the longer run they have made us a stronger person cz in the future we know all the tricks these scums play in order to scam and scrounge off you, best of luck and hang in there x
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maskedman2011-12-17 12:46:58
Airedale,
what you said about "I have a lot of experience with tenants who complain of damp in every room"
you are totally right at your hazard a guess that the building is perhaps of the age and yes it does mean a severe case of a lack of ventilation.
I lived in a 2 bedroom house, and that whole place was very well ventilated, but still wall paper peeled off, the roof collapsed in to my bathroom, and the ceiling in the kitchen was water damaged, dont even get me started on the basement. .
"If you are constantly washing clothes and drying them" - yh i would agree that it escapes into the walls, but what about when you put your washing outside? whatever the weather
my 2bedroom house had old single wooden pained windows, and most of the downstairs ones were nailed shut by the landlord, the ones that opened, were always opened, but still all them problems happened, even black mould spots. my husband had developed breathing problems, and i was ill alot.
the landlord said to me exactly what you said about not ventilating, but i did, and when i got a health inspecor around, he said he would advise we move out, and the landlord got a letter to do the house up to current standards.
sometimes it is not the tenants fault, its the landlords
what you said about "I have a lot of experience with tenants who complain of damp in every room"
you are totally right at your hazard a guess that the building is perhaps of the age and yes it does mean a severe case of a lack of ventilation.
I lived in a 2 bedroom house, and that whole place was very well ventilated, but still wall paper peeled off, the roof collapsed in to my bathroom, and the ceiling in the kitchen was water damaged, dont even get me started on the basement. .
"If you are constantly washing clothes and drying them" - yh i would agree that it escapes into the walls, but what about when you put your washing outside? whatever the weather
my 2bedroom house had old single wooden pained windows, and most of the downstairs ones were nailed shut by the landlord, the ones that opened, were always opened, but still all them problems happened, even black mould spots. my husband had developed breathing problems, and i was ill alot.
the landlord said to me exactly what you said about not ventilating, but i did, and when i got a health inspecor around, he said he would advise we move out, and the landlord got a letter to do the house up to current standards.
sometimes it is not the tenants fault, its the landlords
194
helium2011-12-19 13:01:16
Hi there depressed landlord. We just changed the locks on Dec 1st when her tenancy ended. Place is a bit of a mess and all her stuff is still there. At least i know she will not get in again, and if she wants to sue then she can go ahead but she will never step foot in my house ever again.
I think i will try to sell it now. I'm fed up of the place now.
I hope your situation gets sorted.
I'm just going through the single claims procedure now to get £550 deposit back (it was taken in advance for the last months rent but the RLA told me to protect it so that it didn't look like a disguised deposit). I hope she doesn't make it difficult.
I think i will try to sell it now. I'm fed up of the place now.
I hope your situation gets sorted.
I'm just going through the single claims procedure now to get £550 deposit back (it was taken in advance for the last months rent but the RLA told me to protect it so that it didn't look like a disguised deposit). I hope she doesn't make it difficult.
195
Midlander2012-01-27 22:48:00
I wonder if landlords (and tenants!) know that from 1 January 2012, all young people under the age of 35 will only be paid the DLA 'shared accommodation' rate when they make a new claim?
There are some exceptions, see here...
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=print
I only came across this by accident!
There are some exceptions, see here...
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=print
I only came across this by accident!
196
Paul2012-01-28 10:22:16
By now Local Authorities should've written to all HB/LHA claimants, and landlords who are paid direct in relation to this regulation change.
My opinion is this is an ill thought out piece of legislation that borders on age discrimination (at best).
Are you aware that the single room rent (SRR) doesn't apply to single under 35 year olds that live in council accommodation?
Clearly one set of rules for private landlords and another for the council, it's unbelievable how this regulation has been introduced when it's clearly unfair on many levels.
If you are a decent hardworking, law abiding under 35 year old earning a low wage and require assistance with your rent, you're going to have to find a cheap rental somewhere and struggle. BUT if you have a criminal record and come under MAPPA you won't have to worry because the under 35 SRR won't apply to you. Who says crime doesn't pay!
My opinion is this is an ill thought out piece of legislation that borders on age discrimination (at best).
Are you aware that the single room rent (SRR) doesn't apply to single under 35 year olds that live in council accommodation?
Clearly one set of rules for private landlords and another for the council, it's unbelievable how this regulation has been introduced when it's clearly unfair on many levels.
If you are a decent hardworking, law abiding under 35 year old earning a low wage and require assistance with your rent, you're going to have to find a cheap rental somewhere and struggle. BUT if you have a criminal record and come under MAPPA you won't have to worry because the under 35 SRR won't apply to you. Who says crime doesn't pay!
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