DSS tenants

[tamborine]

Flat up for rent & peeps ask if DSS can apply. Whats the difference between DSS and other tenants ?

[fadeout73]

DSS tenants have their rent (or part) paid by Housing Benefit, other tenants will pay themselves.

[sandyRoe]

You might have to wait a while for the rent to start being paid with DSS tenants. Apart from that no difference, I'd say

[treetops1]

DSS tenants are now given the rent to pay you instead of it coming straight to you. If they are short of money you might not get your rent. we are pensioners and have been waiting 5 months now as our council are so far behind. There are cases of people being evicted here because of the councils inability to catch up.

[tonywiltshire]

Who is peeps?
Housing benefit is usually paid in arrears and rent is often required in advance together with a deposit, this can cause some problems for people on benefits.

[joko]

my dad used to prefer them because he knew he'd get the rent...but yes now the pay the tennant not the landlord - unless there is some reason why it would be a problem, such as if they had a known drug habit or gambling problem...

[AlBags]

Plenty of folks avoid DSS tenants.. for good reason ..
They made a bad name for themselves.

Older DSS people generally fine.

[ladybirder]

peeps = people, thereby saving typing 1 letter.

[AlBags]

Drugs or Gambling? lol

Try NEVER putting out rubbish .. damaging property inside house like nailed up stuff and cable holes anywhere .. broken doors where had been kicked or punched through .. broken washbasin! ... Uncut grass with dog crap everywhere .. Never clean windows .. junk laying around (like untaxed/cars off road) Piled up mail.
These are just a few local problems for property owners I know.

[tamborine]

Most DSS that have applied are lone mothers. I feel for them & want to accept. Anyone can have financial problems, that's the risk of rentals.

[tonywiltshire]

It is wrong to avoid all DSS (housing benefit) tenants there are good and bad as there are with tenants who do not claim HB. If the tenants are bad at paying rent you can have the LA pay you direct, provided the rent is within the local limit you can be sure of getting your rent.

[AlBags]

It's those visiting them that end up staying permanently (for free or favours) that can be the problem.
Good luck with it then ...You'll need it.

[tamborine]

Thanx for luck Albags; I'll give it a try......watch this space :/

[tonywiltshire]

Thanks ladybird.

[barry1010]

Another big difference is the amount of rent you can charge.
You can charge more for non DSS

[tamborine]

If the contract is between landlord & lone mother then other's cant occupy but they can short-stay.

Thanx for the LA info, will check that out in case of problems.

[joko]

albags...i meant a problem with being sure they would actually pay the rent with the money and not spend it on drugs...a landlord can apply to the dss to have the rent sent straight to them...

one of my dads tennants has become an alcoholic over the years, and would probably spend any cash on booze, however hes a good tennant, watches out for my dads property and shop and is a nice bloke so my dad lets him stay but gets the money directly...

[AlBags]

OK ... Yes, I know ..

I wasn't attempting to stereotype any occupant .. just top point out risks.
I have been a land-lord .. and over a number of years, it's not as plain sailing as you would think.