I hope we can have a really good discussion here. Does anyone have experience in renting properties to tenants on income support or in receipt of housing benefit? How does it work? Who will pay the actual landlord: local authority or tenants themselves? What about the rent itself: what if the asking rent is more than the tenant is entitled to? My concern is that with more people losing their jobs, this type of tenants may become more common. Looking forward to your contributions and many thanks!

I never had any tenants like that, but I belive that council will pay rent directly to landlord. However, be careful as not every lender will allow DSS tenants.I think that's the name.

That's an interesting one! But think I have more questions than answers, sorry. What happens if the rent is actually more than the Housing Benefits and tenants cannot afforded it. Will the landlord than have to reduce the rent or ask tenants to leave(apologies if it sounds heartless but landlords too need to make their ends meet) and find another one.

I believe the contract will be between you and council. You agree with them rental price and they can't ask you to reduce your rent later.

This post has been edited by cat: 22.3.2009, 17:27

I rent a property for £800 a month but I am a retired pensioner living
on pension credit, I am guarenteed subsidy for my rent for the rest of
my life to just under £400 a month.

I have very few other expences, my bills are all paid by direct debit,
I do not smoke or drink or venture out as I am not a well person.

Because I do not indulge in luxuries I cannot afford I can afford to pay
the difference in my rent, I believe that the roof over your head is
your first consideration and that without it you would be in real deep.

The landlord certainly does not have to reduce the rent, Why should
they? It is your choice to live there, you need to find out how much
housing benefit you will get, add up all your bills, get rid of all your
extras and count up to see if you can afford the difference, if not then
you are setting your sights to high and if you rent a place you cannot
afford to pay the rent on it will all end in tears.

I always make a roof over my head a priority and although I live on
less than I would if i was a working person I have always paid my
rent and my bills on time and in full for the past 25 years.

At the moment I am living in a place that I should be paid to live in
due to it's horendous conditions but I have never missed a months
rent, (I am quite sure i am set to get most of it back in court).