Stigma Of Dss

[Scarlett]

My friend wants to move to my town as he has been made homeless. He had a flat, but his landlord decided to sell. He couldn't find another one, so plans to move down here as his sister lives here. He is finding exactly the same problem here; nobody will accept DSS. He suffers from schizophrenia and is 46. He is a lovely guy, reliable, friendly - but because he has this mental health problem, he relies on the help of housing benefit and ESA. This now means that he can't find ANYWHERE to live. His parents are trying to help but even they will struggle to pay 6 months in advance, which is what the estate agents ask for, plus a guarantor. I understand that landlords want reliable tenants, and he totally is. But because he has the dreaded stamp of "DSS" on him, he is being treated like a leper. I think there should be a different rule for those who are long term disabled and in receipt of benefits, as they are the ones who need the most help, not the least. Has anyone else had any experience of this?

[Buenchico]

Relevant links:

From last October:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-37679994/no-dss-rule-makes-you-feel-like-a-second-class-citizen

From March this year:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39102860

[anneasquith]

Shelter may be helpful.!!

[Cloverjo]

Good link from March by Buenchico. Don't tell the landlord if you're on benefits.
As long as the rent gets paid on time, a landlord shouldn't mind whether it comes from benefits or work.

[Mamyalynne]

It's getting worse not better - Phil Spencer did a programme on it this week.

[cassa333]

The perhaps perceived problem is two fold first that the DSS is paid to the tenant and as can happen (and did with a previous tenant of mine) they don't pay it and secondly DSS doesn't usually cover the full cost of rent and if on benefits how do you make up the short fall?

If it went back to rent being paid directly to the LL I would Ben more inclined to accept DSS.

And TBH most would probably be better than the working ones I have at the moment.

Is he able to get a loan to pay the first six months?

[TonyV]

Scarlett where is he looking to move too?

[Scarlett]

TonyV Canterbury Kent area, from High Wycombe.