Why are landlords so averse to DSS tenants?
Some DSS tenants are fine. There a re a lot who are not. The new HA which came into force on 7th April 08 made it even worse by not paying directly to the landlord except in exceptional circumstances. So now all DSS tenants on signing new leases are by law given the rent money with no option of direct payment. Already the LHA (Local Housing Allowance) is called the ‘Extra Beer Money Allowance’ in certain circles. It is sad that all DSS tenants are tarred with the same brush but there are so many decent and possibly working tenants out there that landlords can afford to be a bit choosy. www.surerent.co.uk which launches tomorrow 1st Oct is going to try to help both landlords and decent tenants, bringing them together in an innovative way and allowing or such things as ‘make me an offer’ on the rent and allowing both landlords and tenants to give feedback. Since 7th April 08 when Housing Benefit for new claimants ended there has been a rise of some 60% in severe rent arrears in some area
Because they think that people on DSS are all slobs and will ruin their house, it’s just a stereotype though, some people who get DSS really are not able to work through no fault of their own and there are good people on DSS as well as bad. Another reason why they don’t accept DSS is because their mortgage lenders won’t allow it. It’s the bad people that get DSS who ruin it for the good ones who will actually care for the houses they rent, working people can be just as bad or worse, think carefully before scrutinising people on DSS a lot of landlords do it, and it’s unfair for those on DSS looking for a nice place to live. Plus there’s the housing recession so being choosy could lose you out on making back money on your refurb.
