UK Landlord Forum / Life

Afternoon all on this sunny day 

Right I'm about to become a new landlord, with a 3 bed terrace in decent order for 50K. The only jobs it needs doing is double glazing and a minor repair to the boiler (thermostat).
It currently has DSS tenants paying £525 PCM,
Is it a simple thing to do as fill in the new DSS paperwork with my details? the payments are currently going to the letting agent, but I want to arrange them to direct to me

Thanks. 

P.s I have thousands more questions about paying tax etc. but I'll save them for anther day lol

Based solely on the fact you can join a forum and post a question, I would say, maybe you could manage.

If you double your post count to two by returning here, I would say you will have absolutely no problems at all.

Welcome.

Thanks for the reply, most unhelpful of you!

Quote from: hprice1099 on May 17, 2014, 04:46:15 PM
,
Is it a simple thing to do as fill in the new DSS paperwork with my details?

Yes.


Better?

Much better, thanks.

In respect of the DSS application, does the tenant need to fill in a all of the form again? and in respect of section 6d payment to landlords in special circumstances, in the reasons box can you just state that you won't charge more than the housing allowance pays?
Same for part 8 information sharing agreement, is it the case of just filling in a new one if the whole form isn't needed and does it? To make sure its submitted correctly?

Cheers

Sounds like a decent return you are getting.  What part of the country is the house in?

Quote from: hprice1099 on May 19, 2014, 07:01:04 AM
and in respect of section 6d payment to landlords in special circumstances, in the reasons box can you just state that you won't charge more than the housing allowance pays?

Nope, that's not really a special circumstance or a reason why the tenant shouldn't receive the payment directly! Also, the LHA can randomly just change the tenants allowance (e.g. reduce it), and then your 'special circumstance' wouldn't apply.

The local authorities can be pretty difficult/random about this.

I don't actually know "what" reason they would accept. Plus, it differs through each borough- some are more accepting to switch than others. Usually, when a tenant pays late a few times, the LHA may consider switching it to direct landlord payments. But then again, I've heard of some landlords simply request it based on the fact that they'd prefer it that way because they'd feel more secure, and they're granted that request.

Have you been in touch with the letting agent in regards to the tenants payment history?

Quote from: Riptide on May 19, 2014, 02:21:42 PM
Sounds like a decent return you are getting.  What part of the country is the house in?

Its in Liverpool.

Quote from: propertyfag on May 19, 2014, 04:48:32 PM

Quote from: hprice1099 on May 19, 2014, 07:01:04 AM
and in respect of section 6d payment to landlords in special circumstances, in the reasons box can you just state that you won't charge more than the housing allowance pays?

Nope, that's not really a special circumstance or a reason why the tenant shouldn't receive the payment directly! Also, the LHA can randomly just change the tenants allowance (e.g. reduce it), and then your 'special circumstance' wouldn't apply.

The local authorities can be pretty difficult/random about this.

I don't actually know "what" reason they would accept. Plus, it differs through each borough- some are more accepting to switch than others. Usually, when a tenant pays late a few times, the LHA may consider switching it to direct landlord payments. But then again, I've heard of some landlords simply request it based on the fact that they'd prefer it that way because they'd feel more secure, and they're granted that request.

Have you been in touch with the letting agent in regards to the tenants payment history?

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't to sure about this myself but on the housing benefit form it says

Part 6d Payments to landlords in special circumstances
Part 6e Rent arrears
£
/ / / /
If you do not have a bank/building society account we may pay benefit to someone you choose who is not your
landlord or their agent.
If you want us to pay your benefit to someone you choose, please give their name, address and relationship to you
and the reason you want this person to receive your benefit. Please complete their bank or building society details
in the boxes above.
Relationship to you
Reason why you want this
person to receive your
benefit
We can consider making payments to your landlord in the following circumstances.

If it will help you secure or retain a tenancy. Please provide evidence with this form (for example a letter from
your landlord explaining that they will not charge you more rent than the Local Housing Allowance rate which
applies to your claim).
]Or

If you have special circumstances that mean you are unable to manage your financial affairs and pay your rent.
Examples of this would be if you have rent arrears or have issues to do with health, disability or lifestyle that mean
you may have difficulty paying your rent. If this is the case please provide any evidence you have of this with this
form (for example a letter from a support organisation, doctor, social services, care worker or advice agency).

I assumed the first section could be the reason for direct payment? Yes currently the housing benefit is being payed to the letting agent, but I wont be using them so want to make sure before I mess it up

I'm slightly confused. Aren't those conditions for your tenant to choose from? That's the perspective I'm reading it from...

If the tenant agrees/chooses to send the payments directly to you, then that should be fine. I thought this was about you enforcing it. But it's probably easier to achieve if both landlord/tenant want payments made directly to the landlord. Bearing in mind, the tenant could always refuse, and that's when you'll need a 'special circumstance' to sway the decision in your favour.

Have you spoken to the tenant?

Quote from: hprice1099 on May 19, 2014, 05:28:55 PM

Quote from: Riptide on May 19, 2014, 02:21:42 PM
Sounds like a decent return you are getting.  What part of the country is the house in?

Its in Liverpool.

You got a pretty amazing deal, that's like a 12% yield!

I'm jealous!

Quote from: propertyfag on May 19, 2014, 05:55:33 PM
I'm slightly confused. Aren't those conditions for your tenant to choose from? That's the perspective I'm reading it from...

If the tenant agrees/chooses to send the payments directly to you, then that should be fine. I thought this was about you enforcing it. But it's probably easier to achieve if both landlord/tenant want payments made directly to the landlord. Bearing in mind, the tenant could always refuse, and that's when you'll need a 'special circumstance' to sway the decision in your favour.

Have you spoken to the tenant?

Your not the only one lol If I bought that house that it'll be fine and payment go direct to me. But I'm viewing a couple more today, surly if I'm vetting DSS applicants part of this can be to make payment to me? I will also carry out credit checks etc.

hprice,

couple of other things you might want to be aware of in case things go sour, have a read, it might answer a few of the questions you had about housing tenant

http://onlet.co.uk/blog/why-wont-my-tenants-leave/

Laura