Tenants On Benefits Likely To Be “The Biggest Casualties” Of The Plan To Abolish Section 21

The government should “think twice” before changing the rules on eviction in the private rented sector, the National Landlords Association says. In a survey of landlords, the NLA found that of those who had sought to end a tenancy in the past five years, 57% had done so because of rent arrears.  43% said that if the government pressed ahead with its controversial plans, they would become more selective when choosing tenants for their property. This was a clear message that people on state benefits would be the first victims of the plan to abolish Section 21. Read more on the NLA website.

https://landlords.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/tenants-on-state-benefits-likely-be-the-biggest-casualties-the-governments-ill

More Landlords Attack Housing Benefit Claims

More landlords have come out to attack the Shelter and National Housing Federation campaign urging private landlords to allow renters who receive benefits. The campaign says the practice is a form of prejudice. But ARLA Propertymark hit out at that, saying it was a “systematic problem caused by government and banks”. Now, the RLA have added to that, saying it was “not surprising” that landlords wanted to rent their house to someone who can pay. David Smith, RLA Policy Director said: “Our most recent member survey shows a huge increase in the number of landlords experiencing tenants on Universal Credit going into arrears, rising from 27% in 2016 to 61% now.” Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/more-landlords-attack-housing-benefit-claims/

Undercover Check Finds Discrimination Against Tenants On Benefits

An undercover investigation by housing charity Shelter has found routine discrimination by letting agents against tenants on housing benefit, with national chain Haart named as the “worst offender”. Working with the National Housing Federation, Shelter researchers called 149 letting branches around the UK, and found that one in 10 had a blanket ban rejecting any applicants on housing benefit. While “no DSS” bans – a reference to the now defunct government department responsible for benefits – are not illegal, Shelter is planning a court challenge arguing they breach the 2010 Equality Act, as they disproportionately affect women and disabled people who are more likely to need a housing benefit top-up. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/22/undercover-check-finds-discrimination-against-tenants-on-benefits

Shelter Report Misses Target And Offers No Solutions

The report from Shelter and the National Housing Federation, pointing the finger at agents and private landlords for discriminating against tenants claiming benefits has infuriated many working in the sector.  Just like statistics that claim the ending of private tenancies, not the rent arrears that led to serving notice, are the leading cause of homelessness, rather examining the underlying causes, we get a sensational headline that fails to scratch the surface of the issues. Worst still, it offers no solutions, other than seeking to prosecute agents and landlords and have the practice outlawed as indirect discrimination.  So, what is the reality of the situation? In truth, there a host of reasons landlords and agents are reluctant to take on tenants claiming benefits. Read more on the RLA website.

https://news.rla.org.uk/blog-shelter-report-misses-target-and-offers-no-solutions/