Legal Obligation With Housing Benefit?

bloodbinds · Sep 22nd, 2009, 20:31 PM

Do i have a legal obligation to tell my landlord that i'm on housing benefits?

I read over his contract, and it's says nothing on there about telling him about benefits, and it doesn't say i'm not allowed to. Also i read through my Housing Benefit application form, and whereas it does say they would like the landlord details to get in touch with him just in case, i don't actually need to supply these details if i don't want to.

So do i have to inform him? I mean, the benefit will go straight to my bank account so don't see why i would need to tell him anything, and i can't find anywhere (even in the small print!) telling me i need to tell him, but i always thought you did need to tell them?

RainbowMum · Sep 23rd, 2009, 08:52 AM

Sorry, don't have the answer...but was wondering about that too.

Marleysgirl · Sep 24th, 2009, 04:37 AM

We've been claiming HB for about six months now, it's paid direct into my bank, and I've never told my landlord that we're claiming, nor has the council.

Like you, I read through my tenancy agreement and could see nothing about informing him, so I didn't!

kirst1805 · Sep 26th, 2009, 10:22 AM

I haven't told my landlord i'm claiming benefit, there was nothing in the contract and the council didn't demand his details so have kept it to myself.

Way i see it, the council pay it straight to me then i pass it on, as long as he gets the rent surely it doesn't matter where the money comes from.

xx

ineedaseed · Sep 26th, 2009, 17:33 PM

since the local housing allowance came in, there is no legal obligation to tell your landlord you are claiming benefits if this is not in your tenancy agreement xx

purpledahlia · Sep 26th, 2009, 18:13 PM

ah im so glad i found this, great to know! means i have more options now for flats!

Katieeeee · Sep 26th, 2009, 18:17 PM

My god this has pretty much solved EVERYTHING for me. I had no idea! DOH! Thanks ladies! And thanks for asking this question! xxxxx

Katieeeee · Sep 26th, 2009, 18:19 PM

What do they ACTUALLY mean then when they put "no dss" in the ads? x

bloodbinds · Sep 26th, 2009, 21:55 PM

It pretty much means 'no benefits' - so i try to avoid them ones, though i have found out now that we don't need to tell landlords and they are not allowed to discrimnate against us because we're on benefits, so they shouldn't be putting NO DSS in the ads really - as nothing they can do! But if they find out we are on benefits you most likely wont get the place - so try to keep that fact to yourself if possible!

FierceAngel · Sep 30th, 2009, 13:58 PM

no you dont have to tell them

however most agencies and some private landlords will want to refernce you with an reference agency.. most of these agencies such as homelet provide the landlord with a rental insurance providing you have a clean credit file and earn enough... therefor if you dont work/earn enough you require a guarontor to cover you,...

Sep 22nd, 2009, 20:31 PM	#1
bloodbinds Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6,563	Legal Obligation With Housing Benefit? Do i have a legal obligation to tell my landlord that i'm on housing benefits? I read over his contract, and it's says nothing on there about telling him about benefits, and it doesn't say i'm not allowed to. Also i read through my Housing Benefit application form, and whereas it does say they would like the landlord details to get in touch with him just in case, i don't actually need to supply these details if i don't want to. So do i have to inform him? I mean, the benefit will go straight to my bank account so don't see why i would need to tell him anything, and i can't find anywhere (even in the small print!) telling me i need to tell him, but i always thought you did need to tell them?

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Sep 23rd, 2009, 08:52 AM	#2
RainbowMum Waiting To Try (WTT) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 681	Sorry, don't have the answer...but was wondering about that too.

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Sep 24th, 2009, 04:37 AM	#3
Marleysgirl Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 2,458	We've been claiming HB for about six months now, it's paid direct into my bank, and I've never told my landlord that we're claiming, nor has the council. Like you, I read through my tenancy agreement and could see nothing about informing him, so I didn't!

Status: Offline

Sep 26th, 2009, 10:22 AM	#4
kirst1805 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2,068	I haven't told my landlord i'm claiming benefit, there was nothing in the contract and the council didn't demand his details so have kept it to myself. Way i see it, the council pay it straight to me then i pass it on, as long as he gets the rent surely it doesn't matter where the money comes from. xx

Status: Offline

Sep 26th, 2009, 17:33 PM	#5
ineedaseed Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: middlesex, UK Posts: 18,083	since the local housing allowance came in, there is no legal obligation to tell your landlord you are claiming benefits if this is not in your tenancy agreement xx

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Sep 26th, 2009, 18:13 PM	#6
purpledahlia Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 14,871	ah im so glad i found this, great to know! means i have more options now for flats!

Status: Offline

Sep 26th, 2009, 18:17 PM	#7
Katieeeee Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Essex Posts: 3,426	My god this has pretty much solved EVERYTHING for me. I had no idea! DOH! Thanks ladies! And thanks for asking this question! xxxxx

Status: Offline

Sep 26th, 2009, 18:19 PM	#8
Katieeeee Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Essex Posts: 3,426	What do they ACTUALLY mean then when they put "no dss" in the ads? x

Status: Offline

Sep 26th, 2009, 21:55 PM	#9
bloodbinds Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6,563	It pretty much means 'no benefits' - so i try to avoid them ones, though i have found out now that we don't need to tell landlords and they are not allowed to discrimnate against us because we're on benefits, so they shouldn't be putting NO DSS in the ads really - as nothing they can do! But if they find out we are on benefits you most likely wont get the place - so try to keep that fact to yourself if possible!

Status: Offline

Sep 30th, 2009, 13:58 PM	#10
FierceAngel Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 6,075	no you dont have to tell them however most agencies and some private landlords will want to refernce you with an reference agency.. most of these agencies such as homelet provide the landlord with a rental insurance providing you have a clean credit file and earn enough... therefor if you dont work/earn enough you require a guarontor to cover you,...

Status: Offline

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