Landlords or Estate Agents that accept Housing Benefits

[Avasmum13]

Hi,

I am looking for any Private landlords or estate agents in Southwark that accept housing benefits please

Thanks

[tllm2]

It might be helpful if you let agents that you approach know whether your talking about the whole rent being met from housing benefit or whether its a proportion/top up arrangement.

You'd probably have more success if its the later, rather than the former.

[Avasmum13]

Thanks for your response. Due to medical reasons and being 8 months pregnant I am not working at the moment so I am struggling to find anywhere at the moment

[Jules6862]

My daughter is in the same position ava.. Very few landlords are willing to take Hb.. Prob due to stigmatisation of anyone who has to rely on benefits for what ever reasons

[monica]

There is an agency in Forest Hill, next door to leaders letting agency, who deal with HB tenants, there is also another agency called Caridon, who are based in Croydon, however they deal with most of the Boroughs.

Hope that helps.

[Avasmum13]

Thanks Monica, still trying to find out what the name of the one next to leaders is but Cairdon do accept housing benefits they just don't have any 2 bedrooms at the moment

[Loz]

Jules6862 Wrote:

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> Very few landlords are willing to take Hb.. Prob due to

> stigmatisation of anyone who has to rely on

> benefits for what ever reasons

I don't doubt that is often the case, but it is also a stipulation on many BTL mortgages that the landlord cannot accept anyone on benefits, so in many cases the LL has no choice.

[alice]

It was much easier when hb was paid direct to landlord.

[Jules6862]

Not strictly true loz..certain lenders would be less willing to offer further lending if properties already owned were let to HB tenants..and as you say Alice..HB should be paid direct to landlord.

[Loz]

Jules6862 Wrote:

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> Not strictly true loz..certain lenders would be less willing to offer further lending if

> properties already owned were let to HB tenants..and as you say Alice..HB should be paid

> direct to landlord.

Sorry Jules, but that's not right. I have a grand total of one BTL mortgage and it states very, very clearly that I may not let to benefit claimants. I used to have a mortgage with a completely different provider and it stated the same thing. It's not unusual at all.

[Jules6862]

Apologies if I'm wrong loz..been doing some research because of my daughters situation, i dont have personal experience of BTL mortgage so I'm probably not understanding their legal jargon.

[monica]

Hi Avasmum, think its called Homelets. There is another agency in Crystal palace, think its on Church street, pretty sure they are also called Homelets.

I have a Buy to let property in Croydon which is rented out to Croydon council, who rent the property to HB tenants, through and agency, called Caridon, who I have recommended on another thread. I have a specialist insurance which allows me to have HB tenants, with Caridon. My rent is paid to me via the agency, who take a percentage, for maintaining the property, and taking care of the tenants. So there are stipulations, and a loophole. However although most mortgage providers who deal with Buy to let, will highlight no HB tenants, you can do it through a specialist agency, such as Caridon. I hope that makes sense.

[Avasmum13]

Thanks again Monica. Still having problems finding somewhere though x

[GinaG3]

Sure2move in Forest Hill deal with housing benefit tenants but the waiting lists are extensive and they generally have tenants for properties before they even have the properties. Give them a call or visit anyway and see if they can help. I sympathise completely, trying to find somewhere to rent when you are in receipt of even partial housing benefit is difficult, especially in this area. My advice, as someone who has struggled with this same situation more than once over the last 6 years is to avoid letting agents. 9/10 agents won't touch such tenants with a barge pole. Put up a post on here and the same on Gumtree. My current landlord was found through word of mouth and my previous landlord was found on gumtree. You can also check sure2move website and check google by searching things like '1 bed dulwich DSS' '1 bed housing benefit accepted' you will find results periodically. You can approach the council for a list of lettings agents and private landlords that accept housing benefit and are registered to help house people approach in them in housing crisis.

Wish you the best of luck, I know how difficult it is.

[Avasmum13]

Thank you x

[Sazzle30]

Speak to someone at Shelter they have a list of agencies who will let to people who are on housing benefit. My friend found a place a couple of weeks later after speaking to them

[Avasmum13]

Thanks x