Is it discrimination to not let a house to a tenant on benefits?
 

I have a bit of a dilemma, i'm currently off sick and am claiming esa until i can get back into work. My current tenancy is up in 6 weeks and i have been struggling to find a landlord or agency who will even consider me as a tenant simply because i am temporarily claiming benefits.

They are nice as pie when they hear i want to view their property but as soon as i mention the B word they immediately write me off and show me the door EVEN WHEN I OFFER TO PAY THE FULL YEARS RENT UP FRONT!

Obviously this is not a financial issue as i am in the position where i can pay so surely this can only be snobbery/discrimination against myself.

How is this allowed? And has anyone else experienced anything similar?

I was watching a programme that had this problem the other day,

Some people on benefits dont pay the rent at all so it puts landlords ever letting to people on benefits again

I totally understand that but when i can offer rent up front for the entire tenancy whats their excuse then?

You ever thought that they may need monthly payments rather then all at once??

I'm sure they could've asked him to pay the years worth in monthly installments :laugh: it's just discrimination by assuming everyone is the same

Well when i have proof of financial stability to prove i can pay month by month there is still no excuse.

It's unnaceptable imo. Fair enough if it was the odd landlord but when you are denied property after property because you are receiving sickness pay which you are entitled to and have spotless references its baffling.

Try searching for house that allow benefits I know they usually advertise them around my area if they accept benefits not sure of your area,

Obviously in the eyes of the law its not discrimination, good tennents on benefits swim in the same sea as the bad ones and there is a lot of bad ones.

Benefit street and programs like it don’t help your cause.

You don't have to tell them in the first place and they can't force you to disclose your benefits status. You don't even have to tell them if you claim Housing Allowance to pay the rent. However, they might want to know your source of income and they are entitled to ask for that. You do NOT have to disclose how much you earn, though. I guess your issue here is that you can't say where you work (as you're not in work) so they're going to automatically assume that your income is from benefits even if you don't tell them.

The basic answer though is that income & benefits status is not a protected characteristic under the equalities act so no, it's not legally classed as discrimination to refuse to lease a property to you based on that criteria. I personally think income and benefits status should be a protected characteristic these days, as a lot of discrimination occurs similar to this, but sadly it currently is not.

tbh I think landlords should be able to refuse anyone for any reason to live in their house! I've seen house adverts with "no DSS" on, so it must be allowed.

This is an option but the areas can be a bit on the rough side.

If money isn't an obstacle then I'd say the best bet is to find a landlord who is renting the property solo, and when you meet them explain the financial situation up front face to face, where they can base their decision on how you come across in person (if you seem trustworthy, basically). Also offer the money up-front or a large deposit. You'll have a lot more wiggle room with someone renting independently than through a property management company, who are just always going to go with "their policy".

Exactly this.

I have searched properties that accept DSS ect and unfortunately they are all lumped into the rough areas. I just think its wrong that ive worked hard to live in a nice flat, been sensible and saved for years, always paid rent on time and because i had the misfortune of becoming sick i now face having to move into the slums because landlords and agencies have a certain view on a group of people.

It's hard to find private landlords who deal with the properties themselves 95% of flats/houses ive seen go through agencies who don't deal with personal circumstance but black and white yes to professionals/no to any type of benefits which is ridiculous as ive worked my whole life and am now being lumped into some kind of second class citizen category.

:fist:

They assume you money may halt or something stupid like that
Since you can pay a year up front
do not tell them you circumstances
keep it private via getting Your Money sent to a mate
that then sends you that amount
that you ,then pay the rent with etc.

Is there a reason you can't stay in your current flat? is your landlord selling up or something?

Yes it is, but I kind of see why some landlords do it. I had a discussion with someone a while back who told me that if letting to a tenant on benefits, the insurance is higher or something, not sure if its true or not though.

Are you on actual ESA or 'new style ESA/universal credit?

Don't mention the benfits is my advice to be honest. If on UC it will be paid to you anyway so landlord would not know, not sure if old style ESA lets you get housing benefit paid to you instead of landlord?

^
What Vicky said. If your sick benefits are enough to cover rent in the not-ghetto (I don't know how much benefits are these days?) you could just tell prospective landlords that you're working in the job you're sick from, and leave out your illness break?