Reasons Landlords Don’t Accept DSS Tenants

I came across this website and I was really disheartened to see the view of dss tenants. Up until few years ago I was a homeowner, working for an estate agent and whilst working there I came across Dss tenants that paid their rents as well as those who didn’t pay and I was the one contacting council and getting the payments redirected to the landlord. I was dealing with private tenants who paid their rents but then I was dealing with private tenants who didn’t pay their rent for some reason but with those private tenants we couldn’t get any payment until they resume paying or moved out. In the meantime my circumstances have changed and I had to sell my property to get away from dangerous drugs gang and started renting where it is safer. But sadly I fell seriously ill myself and my husband got medically retired, we ended up claiming dss and here we were on the other side of the two worlds where we found ourselves to be dss tenants. However despite that for the past three years of renting we never had a single missed payment. We are immaculate with the property. And even during the pandemic, our rent is fully paid including the shortfall that we are responsible for. Since we moved in we had increased the value of the property by painting it all white, making necessary repairs and updated the bathroom. I look at all those private tenants now during the pandemic who are either living on furlough or lost their jobs suddenly not having enough to pay their rent whilst dss continues to pay my rent on time and we continue to pay rent on time. The writer and other landlords might have had bad experiences with dss tenants but that’s because you guys don’t do your homework. Do you ask to see their bank statementS to see what your prospective tenant was like with paying their rent in previous property? Do you ask to see evidence what type of tenants they are? Why don’t you ask to sign a document that they agree to having their rent paid directly to the landlord? We are now looking to move as our landlord due to mismanagement and defaulting his mortgage we have to look for another property. The mortgage lender is receiving every month evidence from us showing payment of rent we make to the landlord but the landlord is the one defaulting. We are reliable tenants, we have been accepted by deposit Guarantor scheme and can pay up to six months rent in advance. We are even happy to cover the extra insurance premiums for taking on dss tenant. We have credit cards that we pay off the full balance so that we save on interest. There are dss tenants that are reliable and there are private tenants that loose their jobs and have nothing much to fall back on. Why don’t you landlords look at each individual case and want to see evidence before you flatly refuse a dss tenant?

S Olivia. Maybe you should read all the previous comments before telling us your own story. INSURERS are making the rules for not granting policies on benefit claimant rentals, full stop. Also the Government changed the rules on claimants receiving their benefits directly, so as a landlord there's nothing you can do if the tenant won't allow it. I've had tenants go down the 'intentionally homeless' route, that's up to them. As David Cameron said, it's your money!So they spend it and get emergency housing 6 months later.

S Olivia, you definitely should have read the above posts. Unfortunately we are all being screwed, tenants and landlords. I'm still looking,I put an ad on gumtree, I've got no where. There's good and bad in all walks of life. The estate agents don't want to know. Unfortunately even today I phoned up for one and I was told that a lot of people have gone for it and they know the landlord will choose someone working than me. Like you I have paid every month for the past 10yrs, I have dealt with just my landlord for aprox 7yrs, but now my landlord is selling. It's very hard, I will probably end up back at my family home. Like you I have 6 months rent in advance and I am now considering saving more and buying a house, I've learnt that even though I don't work due to disabilities I can still get a mortgage, so I think that's the only route I can take now.

Interesting thread. I stumbled across this while googling "landlord insurance tenants on benefits" and there are plenty of insurers who accept tenants on benefits.

Let me say a bit about myself. I am 69 years old, in receipt of State Pension and a small self-employed income. When the coronavirus thing started, my self-employed income disappeared overnight so I applied succesfully for Housing Benefit therefore I am currently renting. I had been a home owner most of my adult life from the age of 23 in 1974 up to 2006 when I effectively lost everything through a marital decision and have been in the private rented market ever since. I have recently moved house within the same local authority and been successful in transferring HB to my new address.

It is now illegal on the grounds of discrimination for agents/landlords to bar tenants on benefits (see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-53391516)but whether this will make any difference in the long run is to be seen. As you have to show affordability and prove your income, it would be easy for the agent/landlord to know that you are in receipt of benefits and reject you for some false reason (oh, we've had several applications and the landlord has accepted someone else). Refusing so-called DSS tenants does not only discriminate against women and the disabled, it also discriminates against the elderly, but now that agents/landlords are not allowed to refuse at the outset, it would be hard to prove the real reason.

I am fortunate that I now rent from a family member, but on a tenancy at a market rent that fulfils all the criteria to qualify for Housing Benefit and help with Council Tax.

@fred ferret
Thanks for the link.
I heard few years back it was meant to be illegal but they got around it by instead of saying 'no dss' they now put things like mortgages restrictions won't allow housing benefit.
We will see if this ruling makes any difference but from my experience the agents just say we'll get back to you as got someone else interested or something similar then ignore you completely after that. would be difficult to prove in court they discriminated if they ignore you.
The places I've asked about are well within the housing benefit limit so rent is fully covered, makes no sense to me when they won't even consider looking into my situation. Incase missed my post few weeks ago I've Never been a day late on rent all shows on my bank statements for years, receiving PIP, Esa +support group, +disability premiums, and obviously housing benefit. It's one more added (unnecessary) stress for something that should be really simple, just a Look at my finances and rent record, do the tenants check thing, even ask my current landlord how well I look after the place.
Also I have a guarantor (mum), but seems that doesn't help.
It's really frustrating as years ago when I could work would be in out keys in no time, even though when I worked i barely survived on my earnings, was just the saying you work made difference.

Lets all hope this new ruling makes a difference, but I will believe it when I get an agency that treats me like a human and looks at my details.

Fingers crossed 🤞

I totally agree.

Only because they had a good paid job when they completed the checks, we lost the count of how many people are working or claming benefits now.

This is nothing to do with... where the money coming from, or more about the person who will be resposible.

Money its money in the end.

I just found this to try and figure out why it’s been so hard to find a DSS property and now I understand why. Thank you so much for posting this as it’s really informed me.

I’m a single mother who was hoping to go back to University and study Nursing, however where I currently live would make it hard to do this as my family live in London and they’d be the ones to help me with childcare.

I’ve been searching for a flat on DSS around their area but find it difficult. Thank you very much for this as it has genuinely helped me understand why.

@John Unfortunately it won't make any difference I'm afraid. Rules, guidance and non statutory regulations, still fall foul of actual Law, and that's where things come to a stop. Proving discrimination is as impossible as it gets, unless someone makes a serious boo boo in what they say or write. The bottom line is you can't force landlords to take tenants not of their choice, discrimination works both ways.
I do see where the DDA regs should help those on PIP, but its a route they shouldn't need to take. Anyone in receipt of disability payments should not be lumped into the same category as those on unemployment benefits. This incompetence and ignorance has come from the Government, and filtered down into an industry which is out of tune. I've had tenants on DLA, and would do so again. Those who are unemployed from day one, for other reasons, NO NEVER AGAIN. And yes I'm fully aware that sometimes claimants have their benefits stopped for no reason or fault of their own. Then it takes months for them to appeal, and get their benefits reinstated, which in most cases they are successful. That's the nasty system for you, but those on disability have a more secure process, and that's a big difference in perhaps choosing a PIP tenant over other benefits. I also note above comments on 'insurers who will take benefit tenants'. Yes I'm sure there are plenty, but is the policy worth the paper it's written on? I'm dealing with the most expensive things I own, so I choose my insurance provider for the terms and conditions which are agreeable to me, not to revolve around a specific tenant!

Dear @Andrewa I had to laugh at your comment about Hitler and the Nazi party being socialist. Fascism and Socialism are Extreme opposites in ideology.

North Korea is called the ‘Democratic people’s Republic of Korea’ Does that mean that North Korea is not a communist dictatorship and is instead a flourishing democratic republic? By your logic it must be....Because of...you know, it's name 😆

Also no DSS is now illegal , which makes sense because it is indirect discrimination. I can’t see how landlords can say that all DSS tenants are less reliable to keep up with rent, when we are in a gig economy where most working people are struggling to hold down any sort of stable or reliable income.

To the landlord who asked the single mum to move out of London, please consider that this person probably has family and connections to the area, her kid might be at school and his/her education disrupted. Having to move parents and their children from one place to another part of the country is one reason we have a problem with crime and deviants.

local communities suffer and landlords end up with tenants who don’t respect their properties because they are waiting to be moved on again and again.

@Crispy
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics? National Socialists, Republic of Zimbabwe, Peoples Republic of North Korea? They are all socialist states . You even state that North Korea is a Communist Dictatorship and therefore a socialist state by definition.

In Communism and socialism both philosophies advocate economic equality and state ownership of various goods and services.

Why laugh at something so true and blatantly obvious it stares you in the face? Nazi socialism just didnt include Jews and other untermensch in its particular socialist philosophy but it was socialist nonetheless.

Well upto now this new law has not sunk into the small brains of many letting agents as I've found dozens of properties newly added adverts since last week saying 'No Housing benefit'. Who will actually do anything about this, it's a complete joke.
And thats just the adverts, what about the ones, likely many more that simply won't put in adverts but simply will refuse or continue to ignore as always have in my case.
I reported the adverts but its unlikely to make a difference since
On Housing benefit = I'm scum.
I'm disabled = I'm worthless.
Crazy world we live.

Good luck. Have a nice read.

https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1333462/housing-benefit-uk-dss-unlawful-court-renting

3 courts so far said No DDS is discrimination and unlawful .

@SUMC

So the courts compulsorily placed the complainants into the property's that were advertised with NO DSS on shorthold tenancy leases?
Didn't think so.
Good tenants have good track records and usually should have no problems finding good landlords.

As someone who is a claimant who is desperately trying to find somewhere to live as I am due with my son in a few weeks it really is so so difficult to find somewhere to live. :( I have been trying for 3 months now and constantly keep getting turned down by landlords and landlady’s. I offer the rent in advance but it doesn’t work. I am on benefits through no fault of my own and more than anything would love to have a job (Which I am going to work hard to find one) I just wish there wasn’t this constant discrimination. I feel like everyone has this mental image of claimants that we are all scroungers who drink alcohol all day and cause trouble. But that’s far from truth, I couldn’t be anymore opposite than that stereotype. We’re all tarred with the same brush and it’s unfair. Please give us a chance, we are not all bad and I would definitely pay the rent no matter what.

I must add too that I receive PIP and ESA. I have disabilities but would absolutely love a job. Through these trying times, it’s much more difficult with
Covid. I even had a company called Halo who tried to help me rent from a private landlord. They are a company who help people like me with special needs. But even the landlords said “We don’t want to rent to a disabled person”!!!! That wasn’t just one landlord it was 7 landlords who all said it. That is pure utter discrimination and disgusting. So what if someone is physically or mentally disabled? As long as the landlords get their money why do they care if you have autism or a learning disability? It seems you have to be able bodied and minded, You have to have a job, You have to be a couple, you can’t have children (Because yes, many landlords refuse children too) which I am pregnant with my boy and I just want to put a roof over his head. I don’t want to go into a council house as then I am put with riff raff and I shouldn’t have to resort to going there because a landlord won’t give me a chance. PLEASE landlords, change your mindsets.

Whatever the opinions on this site, the fact is this. It is illegal to advertise 'no dss' and to discriminate against people on benefits. By a High Court ruling.
I am making it my mission to report any landlords that do this. I'm disgusted how many are still breaking the law. Landlords have no right to ask personal questions, other than those required to do a credit check. Everyone has the right to a roof over their heads, especially those that have always paid their bills, rent and kept their homes nice.
There are plenty of people that work that don't take care of their rental properties or pay their bills.
Credit checks are the legal way to find your next tennant, not ask personal questions about where their money comes from or what disabilities they have.
Being a landlord is a business that involves dealing with all types of people, who need a home. Don't breal the law.

Hi Julie, they now use other words and say it's because of the mortgage terms, which if that is true then it should be against the law for mortgage companies to have this in their terms.
In a lot of times for me they won't advertise that fact but will ignore you once they know you have any benefits, including pip and esa support group, even though my income is higher than when I could work, have a working homeowner guarantor, non smoker, no pets, no issues with places I've lived, I'm quiet keep self to self, never complain unless it's something I can't fix myself, but they never know because their fingers go in ears soon as they hear anything to do with benefits.
They simply ignore you or let you know later it's suddenly been let.

Thats time after time after time for years now.

Law or not, they'll find a way around it.
Breaking the law isn't enough, it has to be proven.

Very true Julie, just as it is every landlords right to ensure as far as he can that his rent will be paid and his asset not destroyed. It works both ways you see. So now the "dss" tenants can go through the rigmarole of applying before being refused thereby wasting their time I take it?

@andrewa
The point you make there is a perfect example, landlords shouldn't assume benefits/disabled = bad tenants/non payers.

Many years ago when I worked as a manager of a financial company most non payers where actually workers.

As Elysia said, mindsets need changing.

@John You're right, mindsets do need changing. So instead of crying over private landlords, we should be asking why the Country is not providing accommodation for its subjects. Benefit claimants should not be falling into the hands of private landlords for their housing needs. Whatever Laws are written, you cannot force a landlord to take benefit claimants. We are governed by Insurers and Mortgage lenders, who play a huge part in how the planet operates, and they call the shots when it comes to no benefits. And you're never going to change their mindset, so you're on the wrong track.

@Stealth Bomber,
As my other point, the law should change to stop insurers/ mortgage lenders having this in the terms, then theres no excuses.
You suggest its the government/Council problem, I partly agree but where do they magic these properties from, maybe stop private landlords buying all the property/land if they don't want tenants that don't quite fit in their perfect magical box?

Hopefully these private landlords never go bankrupt, life turned upside down and end up seeing from the other side.

"It will never happen to me" said the moron.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

@John I respect yours (and everyone elses) plight, but you're looking in the wrong place for where the problems lie. Private landlords are not like social housing, and should not be bridging the gap where this has failed.
Supermarkets for one, own masses of land which they've never built on, but they have the financial clout and far easier planning routes, than it does for a housing development and tenders, which cost a hell of a lot of money.
Most private lets were private houses in the first place, so it's not really landlords swallowing up all the housing at all, it's been paid for by someone somewhere down the line.
Councils have consistently built less and less housing over decades. They sold right to buy houses far too cheaply, so didn't even get a decent revenue stream to replenish the sold stock. Then we've had 10 years of lunatic Government cuts, while the population increases year on year.
Look at the bigger picture, while you're sat blaming private landlords, you're actually deflecting from where the real issues lie.
However, it's not all doom and gloom, I believe the change will come, in the form of modular housing. Quick to build, less complicated planning issues, and they will be owned by huge organisations, so tenants can have a secured tenancy, which I think is only right anyway.

@Stealth Bomber
So what you are saying in short is private landlord should only be for workers? What about workers that suddenly become unemployed or sick and disabled, throw them out for the workers? Surely it shouldn't make a difference who owns the property, council, social housing, or private, the only thing that should matter is affordability and decent tenants that don't cause an issue, and those tenants are in all situations, working, disabled etc etc.
I think you're missing the point.
Passing the buck doesn't help change things, renting out a property is a business private or otherwise, businesses have responsibilities and should adhere to equalities.
If private landlords cannot be equal they shouldn't be allowed to run the business (own properties to let) simple as that.
Waiting for your modular buildings isn't the answer either.

The quick fix is very simple, property owners that let out should be more equal and stop discrimination.
No if buts or maybe.
Non of "it's them not me"
"Not my problem its theirs"
"Not on my doorstep"

Attitudes need to change.

@John What I'm saying is, private lett's work better for those that are employed, and have a view to a short term tenancy. Stats show the average is around two years, then tenants move on. It's called an assured shorthold agreement for a reason.
Take the idea of the secure tenancy, yes, that's great, when property is owned by councils or associations, but its not something that fits the private lettings model.
Private lett's are governed by terms and conditions from various organisations. Councils don't have any of that, they don't give a monkey's, just shove people onto hellhole estates. Either take it or lose your place on the housing list, aint that great!
By the way they're not "my modular buildings", so don't be a twit when people are giving you good information. A rather large pension and life insurance company has built the largest production factory in Europe, and formed a modular homes division. So they obviously see it as part of the solution. And you should too, anything that gets benefit claimants into Government run schemes, and out of the hands of private landlords is a good day for all.

@Stealth Bomber
You're been very patronising and I'm certainly no twit.
I'm Not interested in the modular buildings, thats something possibly maybe could be in the pipeline!,
this discussion is regarding the discrimination many people receive by private landlords/letting agents and is relevant to now, something that can change now, something that need to be discussed now.

Also you are talking absolute tosh, the shorthold tenancy has nothing to do with workers/employed at all, and is not for private lets alone, councils and social housing also start with a shorthold and it is because the terms are easier to evict if things don't work out.

I don't know how many private landlords you know apart from yourself, but I know by fact most would prefer a long-term paying good tenant, and I know this is a shock to your system but they come in all forms of people, working, unemployment, self-employed, disabled etc.

Equality is the issue.

@Stealth

You are pushing water up hill, Stealth, pointless, every few months another disgruntled tenant pops up whining that landlords are scum of the earth.

There are 000's of Johns who go on about equality but what they want is equality of outcome, not equality of opportunity.

We all live in the same country and have the similar opportunities, but the random factor involved here is life just isn't fair, you win some and lose some - that's life. Most of us started off in what we thought were dead end jobs, then one day think this is shite and do something about it. Along the way you get shitty deals, ripped off, but you keep going and with a bit of luck manage to get by.

I have lived in many rented many houses in the past, moved jobs & countries, you rent a house. Thats what the landlord does, provides a service.

However if you lease a car and took it back trashed then you will get clobbered for your deposit and more.

The car hire company would be viewed as simply depriving the Johns of the world of a car, and they should allow him to do what he wants with it, including damaging it and he should not have to pay for it.

If you don't have a license you can't rent a car, if you have 9 points on your license you cost of insurance is sky high, its all commercial risk. I don't hear people complaining the Insurance companies depriving people human rights to cheap car insurance because they have too many points and can't afford the insurance.

The difference is the Car hire company are massive and have thousands of cars to spread the risk of a small % of people trashing their cars. They have insurance and can cover the damage of some.

95% of landlord's in this country own 1 rental property.

When you have 1 rental property the risk factor becomes huge. One shitty tenant and it will wipe out a years profit (try getting sympathy from the mortgage lender).

If the tenant could bring an insurance policy with their tenancy that pays up 100% every time they trash something then a landlord would not care less who they have as a tenant.

Until that happens, the Landlord should have the right to decide who they let into their property - what and who they are comfortable in renting to is up to them.

As a now ex landlord, we had several properties and about half were DSS half were not. We had just as many problems with all groups.

But again, we had enough properties to spread the risk.

Now renting is a mugs game, too political and Landlords are a small voter pool and have no voice and are going to get wiped out.

What will be left are some huge firms who control the market and rents and then John, you will have something to complain about :-)

@Ex Landlord

You totally missed the point, you're saying about people who trash the places, my issue and many others is not getting a chance to rent because we are discriminated against before even getting a chance to rent.

Not once did I say landlords are scum or anything of the sort!

Hopefully you will never find yourself in a situation, disabled, unable to click fingers and magically have the opportunities you suggest.

I have also rented many places in my life as a worker, at 18 I also owned my own house. Unfortunately life changes sometimes out of your control, people like you think it will never happen, you will be fine and it only happens to other people.
Wake up, things in life can change fast.

Ta ta for now..

You just hit the nail on the head. I am the one to determined who I let my property to. I in particular do not let my property to certain of people, I rather to have my property locked up than to rent it out to people that I deem unsuitable. At the moment most of my property I only do short term letting because that suits me much better.

@John You will see from comments long ago, that I have had DLA/PIP tenants myself, and have been more than fair and polite in regards to this issue. But let's be honest, you are now here just to vent because things aren't going your way.
Modular homes ARE happening, it's not "in the pipeline" it's real, it's been recognised as a solution, environmentally, economically and in timeframe. Whether you like the idea or not, its happening. Tenants will be in a Government funded dwelling, where they can have a secured tenancy. We would then be back on the road to something like balanced housing provision for all.
Government trying to decimate council housing, and absolve itself from social housing responsibility, is something which hasn't worked. Thats where the problem begins and ends. Its time for them to take up their rightful responsibilities, to house those who are dependent on the State.
I doubt there's ever been a private landlord who actually set out to cross paths with benefit claimants. Most of us were part of the student housing boom, it was all well and good when Universities had to rely on the private sector, to accommodate the increase in student numbers.
We are used to tenant turnaround, so no, its not about wanting long term tenants, in for years on end. Tenants are inclined not to report defects, or they'll have a half baked attempt themselves, in effecting a repair, thinking they will be blamed for damages. That's no good if the property sustains more serious damage in the longer term.
Whatever your views, it's called private business enterprise. Discrimination is difficult to prove, so it won't ever see the inside of a Court room, unless someone drops a major clanger in their wording or behaviour. I think we've been down this road before, so clearly you're not learning from it. I'll use the example of my insurers AGAIN for you. They stipulate they won't insure my properties with housing benefit tenants in. That's their own private business decision which they are entitled to, and I choose that provider because their terms of business and liability cover, meet my needs. I don't have my policy revolving around some tenant because of their benefit plight.

@ExLandlord Haha! Too true! I don't mind really, it's just rather moronic when we had the same convo back in July, on this very same thread! and he's still bleating the same stuff. In fact it's gotten worse, because he's gone from discrimination, to revolutionizing how private business needs to match public sector!!! Proves he's not really reading, nor learning, that's the sad bit. :-(
I've only one rental left now, then I'm ex landlord right behind you :-)!!!!

@stealth bomber

If you read yourself you may open your small mind a little and see from the other side.

Also there were atleast 2 court cases last year on discrimination from letting agents. It's difficult to prove but not impossible.
I'm guessing someone as intelligent as you decided to skip passed the parts you didn't like to read.

You are a perfect example of why things need to change. With landlords having your attitude to people with an opinion, gives the good ones a bad name.

And what you say to the other person that I'm moronic because why? I have a view that is effecting many peoples lives? because, as you put it, I am bleating the same stuff since last year?
What does that tell you, that NOTHING has changed.

I'm back here to comment on another message well before you started on about modular buildings etc etc yawn yawn.
So maybe if you stop replying your rubbish I wouldn't need to "bleat" on!

I agree with john here and it is so sad to see others slating him for airing his concerns on a conversation that is exactly for this reason.

I have been in the same position years back when I was ill and although my affordability was fine the lettings wasn't interested.

I am now a landlord and know several landlords with a crappie view of things.

I'm lucky to successfully rent to a mix of backgrounds and rarely have an issue, the issues generally are from employed in my case, but it's individual case by case and should never put people in a group assuming they'll be the same.

Ok!

@John Its moronic because you're repeating the same garbage from July 2020. Which proves you either aint reading, or aint learning!
We're somewhere around 5 million households in private rental sector, and you're going to revolutionise how landlords operate, due to TWO discrimination cases. It may well be all your fixated on, because it's dominating your life, and that's fair enough. But its very selfish, and won't help solve the real issues behind the failure of the Country's obligation to house it's people.
Write to your MP and get social housing projects moving. Even the dumb Government now see most landlords are getting out of the game. That's why they've backed modular builds, and not stopped construction work during lockdown. Desperate times for housing.

@The Landlord Gee thanks man, luv ya :-)

No worries I can handle them ganging up on me.

Got broad shoulders from carrying the Government's clusterfcuk of a housing mess for the past decade.

Loving the comments here from the viewpoint of an ex landlord.

I’m thinking of writing a book about what can happen to your properties when it does go pear shaped.

Like the one the Doctor wrote about his life in a hospital, all the things that lead up to him quitting - without the blood and gore.

Maybe we could “crowd write” The book. A chapter each.

I’m sure “The Landlord” himself could add half a book. There are enough landlords out there who would buy it for some masochistic reasons and could give it to all wannabe landlords as a warning.

Maybe I can write the story of one tenant who was working in a pizza shop while in receipt of housing benefits. It was all cosy until he scarpered back to warmer climates, sharpish, after the anti terror police raided the now trashed flat. Bank statements found down the with £100ks in.

Ah the good old days.....😂

Grumpy
(Where my ex landlord emoji)

@ John
So sorry to see that your fingers are so disabled you are unable to get a job using a computer and are unable to even click them. What type of vocoder type input device do you use to post here?
As a landlord I rent to anyone with a provable track record of rental payments and good behaviour. Misbehave and you get notice to vacate. AND I list you on the database of bad tenants.

Well, although I can't say I disagree with a lot of what has been said here, unfortunately there is another side to the story, and that is there are many people on benefits, us included, that are decent, proud and honest folk, unfortunately we get stuck in the same pot as the scumbags piss in. Our situation is that we are currently in a secure tenancy and my wife receives PIP and I receive carers allowance and my wife's condition is chronic so she will not get any better and will be on benefits for the rest of her life. Our daughter moved to England to be with her partner in his job and our grandson obviously went with them. Since late last year we have been seeking a private let nearer to them and have hit a brick wall every time. Even despite explaining we receive benefits, and my wife is chronically ill, even despite offering assurances that our rent can be met no problem with the savings we have, even though our income can be the same as someone working, even having explained that we will be taking out additional insurance cover to meet the ongoing costs should anything happen to either one of us, nothing, not even as much as a response!. I was tempted to name the ones who haven't responded to us, but it's pointless, because they won't come right out and say it's because we're on benefits, yet my son in law enquired about the same property we did right after us, we got no response, my son in law got an instant one!. I get it, landlords are sceptical of taking on DSS (no such thing anymore) client, and understandably so in some circumstances, but I can't help feeling that from our point of view, they are missing out on a lot of honest, trustworthy people, whilst those who are working are no more trustworthy or reliable than people like us. Shocking situation, understand both sides of the argument, but hey, lifes a bitch I guess.

@Marko,
If you can prove your track record is as good as you say then I must agree with you that there are landlords who are allowing a good tenant to pass them by.
My advice would be to bypass the agents and go straight to the landlord.

@Marko If you have a secure tenancy, treasure it, stick with it, and live in peace if your good lady won't get any better. That's part of the argument here with certain respondents. Private landlords can't ever match the ongoing security and other aspects that a housing association or authority can. Say for instance you did get a great property with a great landlord. The time still comes when that landlord has to finish with lettings, even in death, there has to be an end to their rental days! That doesnt give you the security you need, especially in the circumstances. Whereas Social housing continues ad infinitum, and it's worth considering if your wife needs things like house adaptations in the future. You're in the best place with a secure tenancy, I wish you the best.

@Stealth Bomber - That was precisely the thing that would have been on our mind, because we have a secure tenancy from our local authority at the minute, we're also taking a great risk which I think is something landlords seem to overlook too, it's not just them taking a gamble, we're talking about a 'home' whereas to them it's a 'house'. It does look unlikely that we will make a move because security is very important to us given my wifes circumstances and we're now into our 50's and the thought of having to move again in a few years time, or continue to have to move in years to come doesn't appeal to us, ideally we'd be looking for a property that was maybe in a family run concern where it would be passed along to other family who would continue to rent it out but even then we know nothing is guaranteed and people can have to sell for a lot of reasons, but given the difficulty we have had in finding someone to rent to us, even if we do then find a suitable landlord with a suitable property, if they have to sell up for some reason we're then faced with the difficulty in finding another property but wouldn't have the luxury of time on our hands as we would obviously have a date to be out of the said property whereas at the moment we obviously have no rush to leave our local authority property so all said and done it would likely need to be the opportunity of a lifetime for us to make the move, something which is very unlikely to come along!

@andrewa - it is a catch22 for us too, finding a landlord directly is probably just as difficult as finding one who will accept those on benefits, or at least finding one with a property which we would want to move in to. I've seen a few listings where "DSS" is welcome but to be honest they're not properties which we would want to move into, not being snobbish or anything but they're clearly just out for a rental in an area where it's obviously not appealing, which is presumably why they are widening the catchment to include anyone and everyone. It's a difficult situation for us, we want to be closer to our daughter and grandson but we're also taking a massive risk by private letting, if a landlord offered us a suitable property and agreed we could stay in it indefinitely with a contract to match, we'd likely jump at it, but I don't think that's going to happen so I guess if anything I've probably came to the conclusion that the difficulties we've faced in finding a property to let has made us realise just how impractical it could be for us in the future, I mean if we have this kind of difficulty now, then in 5 years or so if we took a private let and had to leave the property, finding another suitable one in a short space of time could be impossible.

Marko can you not do an exchange? I know most councils and associations in UK allow tenants to swap tenancies.

@Rea - we're talking different countries unfortunately, we're currently in Scotland and our daughter is in England, there probably is the likelihood of an exchange programme to cover that but I'm not sure how the local authorities would take to this, they would have to be in agreement presumably as if we were vacating a LA house in Scotland, presumably the LA would have their own idea's on who should be qualifying first, and similarly in England for that LA. If it were the same LA then I know they do allow this but different LA's I'm sure have their own rules and regulations in relation to exchanges, etc, it may be worth checking out also but our daughter does stay in a village in England and although there are LA housing dotted around they will likely be few of these and most of those types of areas have a strong influence from parish councils, etc, and again, would have their own idea's of who should be taking LA housing such as those with a strong connection to area.
We wouldn't have any issues being out with the village itself but it's likely we would need to be considerably out with to stand any chance of a LA house, just how far and how practical I'm not sure, and again, applying for LA housing in a different country would probably bring it's own set of issues, hence why we were thinking more along the lines of private letting, hate to sound fussy or anything but because it would probably be a massive decision for us to make such a move, it really would have to tick all the boxes as we would also likely have to pay towards the cost of the rental, I know that sounds as though we want our cake and eat it but as I say our circumstances are fragile hence the reason it has to be the right move, once only with no going back :)

@Marko I would say you've already got the biggest piece of the cake that you could hope for. The only real driver for wanting a private let, is your location. Stability, secure tenancy, adapting the property should your wife need some future support, would all be sacrificed for it.
You may get an exchange if you're with a UK wide association, they can probably do a workaround. However it's a long shot that someone would want an exchange to Scotland. Assuming your provider is UK wide, could you be listed for one of their homes in England? I appreciate things are in short supply and it might be a wait, but putting yourself into the hands of a private let, is not the answer.
We are all in this together, all bearing the failure of the Country, to house it's vulnerable and welfare dependent citizens. Councils/DWP are a nightmare to deal with, nothing short of evil. They hate private landlords, and claimants dont get much better treatment either, and the Government system actually supports them in doing it.
There's no wonder private business steers clear of DWP, and it's not all down to claimants being branded as scum. Having had experience of both PIP and Housing Benefit claimants, I concede there does need to be some education across the lettings industry. However the fact remains that claimants should not need to be in private sector for their housing needs.

@stealth bomber - totally agree with you in everything you say, maybe in hindsight it's a blessing that it has been, and continues to be so difficult for our particular circumstances, others aren't so fortunate in their choices however, but I came here originally to rant I guess on how difficult the situation is for those of us on benefits long term in regards to private letting, but having written it all down and thought about it, I guess I'm leaving with the security and knowledge that we're likely in a very fortunate situation with LA housing where we are and the driving factor was to be closer to our daughter and grandson but given the risks associated with such a move to private letting, it's something we are probably having second thoughts about, or much more than just second thoughts. With the situation being what it has been over the course of the last year or so, this has probably heightened our drive to be closer to our daughter, but hopefully in the next few months (big lol) things may improve and we may be in a position to visit more frequently than we obviously have been able to do in the past year or so.
Really glad I found this blog and the frankness that has been displayed, it's made us think twice about or position, all be it there is still a massive issue in regards to private lets and benefits, or for that matter just private lets in general, and I still can't help feel that many landlords who seek a long term, reliable, honest and decent set of tenants continue to shoot themselves in the foot by refusing to even consider such circumstances, but on the flip I know myself how some people can be, but that goes for people in employment too, very difficult situation to figure out but end of day I think we'll call off the hunt for now and cross our fingers for a better year ahead than the one past!. Thanks to all for their honest and open responses, really appreciated it :)

@Marko I suppose Covid times have altered people's thoughts when it comes to proximity and contact with family and friends. Seeing grandkids and doing a school run, that sort of thing is a joy. However we don't all get that pleasure, but we do have endless means of communication to benefit from, which we didn't have in the past.
Most of us on here are pretty balanced 😂, after all it's simply a big Government game, so it's not worth getting mad over. While we all argue and disagree with each other, it deflects from the huge and consistent failing of social housing and welfare support from the Government.
There's people on benefits get their money stopped through no fault of their own. Then it's 8-12 weeks for an appeal to get the payments reinstated. DWP know they're dicking around with people's lives and private landlords, while they have a laugh about it. Once people are behind with their money, it never comes right.
Then there are the bad tenants, who are told to stay put until the bailiff knocks on the door! Now what earthly good is that to society? Landlord has huge expense in Court and bailiff fees. Valuable Court time is choked with eviction notices, and the tenant lives on their nerves (well some of them) until the day the bailiff knocks on the door! Then they've got to head straight to emergency housing office with the eviction letter in hand! It's so far beyond insanity we need to invent a new word.
On another note you're probably miles better off in Scotland when it comes to health care and waiting lists. The NHS in UK major cities is failing. Got more chance of seeing Lord Lucan riding Shergar down the street, than seeing a GP.
Hope all works out for you in the future. Good luck.

@stealth Bomber

I don’t know why the discrediting of John's valid points when it is adjacent to what Marko has stated. You seem to be overlooking That although some landlords are “sceptical of taking on DSS and understandably so in some circumstances, they are missing out on a lot of honest, trustworthy people, whilst those who are working are no more trustworthy or reliable than people like us.”

And that statement is factual and should be taken into consideration and not dismissed, undermined, belittled or mocked. Regardless of the modular Homes scheme that has been recognised as a solution and in a timeframe, it is still YET to fully manifest and implemented to be moved into. In the meantime, while that is happening, people are in the shortfall and it is only fair that both the employed, regardless of profession and those that are reliable vulnerable tenants with good track records that happen to be on Benefits should be treated fairly as possible. It took some level of fairness and luck in life as well as hard work for you to get to where you are today to now have an opinion over the less fortunate.

As @Andrewa was considerate enough to recognise. But unfortunately, no matter how much you have a good track record and even have a guarantor and everything in place or bypass the agent to a landlord, the stereotypical mindset surrounding “benefits” can be a discriminatory hindrance. Especially when I have family members who are doctors and professors with other credible professions who were heavily affected and ended up on benefits during the pandemics economic defects should be considered. My sister who is a law major and has worked with the government on youth reform has been unfortunately hit with a severe illness due to medical negligence as some doctors are not even fit to operate and have had multiple seizures as a result of their incompetence and can’t currently work, is on benefits and PIP though she has a brilliant track record and keeping up to dates on payments. But that won’t be taken into consideration because of certain unrelenting mindsets.

To reiterate what was previously started, Life changes, life can be unpredictable and we should all look at both sides of the coin and at least consider the exemption of the reality of life regardless of the statistical data. Period.

we are a landlord an it states on sites when we are going with an estate agent there are tick boxes for no dss and we have had a terrible time never had rent since july 2024 and we went to evict them a section 21 an the council told them to stay until we get bailiffs they kept paying her rent money aswell and she never paid us so we got screwed over with additional costs on getting her out she even moved out to a new property with her partner and still wouldn't hand the keys back and that meant the tennancy was still live. and after getting keys back which i had to pay her 500 pounds near xmas the state of the property was a mess to be polite loads of things smashed filthy and the amount of rubbish left was unreal, all in all we took a 10k loss in rent and us having to cover the mortgage and then had to repair everything so this is my reason i wouldnt rent again to dss, i do know everyone is not the same but once you get burnt you try your best to never get burnt again yes its crap but them people who dont pay on dss spoil it for the good ones that do pay but as a landlord us personally cant take the risk.
and if they on dss how can they make the short fall up so if we do the correct checks we woukd never get the insurance to cover us for non payment of rent because they would be a high risk of not paying so insurance woud say no....we have to go with advice from them aswell as what comes back on the check if they cant afford it it means they cant afford it, juat like a loan they do affordability checks and they wont get the loan thats not discrimination its life, just like myself ive tried getting a loan so can fix tge house up and was refused on that check...
and us as landlords still fixed anything that went wrong in the property even though they never paid tge rent because we are decent people/landlords not like some who wont do anything.

all in all theres good and bad in everyone working/dss if people dont want to pay they wont simple as that but there measures landlords have to take to try minimise that risk