| |
Major Site Upgrade in Progress |
 |
|
 |
|
Shahla
Money Managing Guru
Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 3324
Cash Points ££ 126163.28
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:38 am Post subject: Will Buy to Let landlords say 'no' to housing benefit tenant |
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Amy Watson writes: Private sector landlords are being advised to refuse tenancies to housing benefit claimants.
The Residential Landlords Association – which represents members owning over 100,000 private rented properties throughout the UK – is advising them to remove their homes from that market.
And the reason lies in the new-style Local Housing Allowance which is now handed direct to claimants instead of paid to their landlords.
The trouble is … the money is often spent on other priorities instead of paying the rent.
“And there are no winners from a situation that just encourages more rent arrears,” says RLA chairman Lee Dribben.
“Landlords can't afford to take that sort of financial loss on a routine basis while they chase defaulting tenants who have already spent their rent allowance on other things.
”Vulnerable low-income tenants, who already have difficulty managing their money, are being driven further into debt.
“And the resulting withdrawal of affordable private sector rented housing from the claimant market would shift crippling pressure onto the public sector.
“Yet, in the face of this so-called reform, I can see little alternative than for professional landlords to quit the housing allowance market altogether.”
1/2: more …
The RLA is a longtime campaigner for the government to re-think its controversial change in housing benefit payments because, says Lee, “the rules are too rigid. They don't allow tenants to opt for rent money to be paid direct to landlords – which would, largely, solve the problem.”
The reform was originally intended to safeguard against fraud and provide people on low incomes with more personal responsibility for paying their rent.
But, within months of the new system being phased-in, a Department for Work and Pensions report revealed that 77 per cent of landlords with claimant tenants were reporting arrears and 56 per cent were, as a result, turning away from renting to claimants.
“Yet the government does not seem to have heard its own warning,” says Lee. “It was a bad idea that few people wanted and it needs reversing before this particular housing crisis passes a point of no return.”
Housing allowance payments are among several issues on which the Residential Landlords Association is campaigning. They include lobbying for the formal acceptance of a Code of Practice laying down expected standards for professional landlords, a common sense approach to the implementation of Housing Act licence conditions and fees relating to houses in multiple occupation, as well as a re-think on fire safety regulations, amenity standards and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
• The Residential Landlords Association is a leading national organisation for professional landlords, residential property investors and self-managers – with members owning over 100,000 properties in the UK private rented sector. The range of members' services - on www.rla.org.uk - includes legal advice, insurance, financial services, credit referencing and training. For tenants there is www.tenantdocs.co.uk – where tips include a download of the RLA's award-winning Plain English tenancy agreement. The RLA operates a web-based property search on www.homes2rent.net and publishes the bi-monthly Residential Property Investor magazine.
By Amy Watson
Notes
For further information and interviews please contact
Brian Johnson at Powell Communications - tel: 0161 828 5400, fax: 0161 839 5414;
e-mail: brian.johnson@powell-pr.co.uk
Graham King – tel: 0161 976 2729, fax: 0161 976 2758, mobile 07850 280213;
e-mail: graham.king@powell-pr.co.uk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Online Finance Tools & Calculators |
 |
| Credit Score Calculator |
Easy to use online Credit Scoring tool - Calculate your credit score now online for FREE ! using the Moneyforums.co.uk credit scoring tool. Also TEN Tips on improving and mainting a good credit rating ! |
|
| Quick Health Calculator |
Easy to use quick health calculator to help you get started on the path to fitness. Calculates your body mass index (BMI). |
|
| "When will I die ?" Calculator |
Calculate when will you die based on your current life style and then more importantly what you can do about extending your lifespan ! |
|
| Mortgage Calculator |
Easy to use online Mortgage calculator tool - Calculate how long it will take to pay off your mortgage and what your monthly repayments will be as well as interest charged per month per each year. |
|
| Savings Calculator |
Use the flexible savings calculator to estimate the amount of interest you would earn given a level of monthly savings, with many optional settings. |
|
| UK Tax Calculator |
Check your tax and NI liability using this easy to use online tool. Outputs, Tax, Ni, Net pay and gross pay on an annual, monthly and weekly basis, also estimates your tax burden and the number of days a year you work for the tax man ! Plus lots of tax saving tips. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Money
Forums Guides |
|
| Credit
Card Stoozing |
The
following guide explains the basics of credit
card stoozing in a step by step basis. |
|
| Discount
Vouchers |
Online
discount vouchers giving upto
50% off in stores such as Dixons,
Tesco, Avon, Currys, Boden and more. Many
of the vouchers are time limited - So check
back regularly |
|
| Money
Saving Guide |
Guide
to saving money on household bills & personal
finances - Start saving thousands of £'s
every year TODAY ! |
|
| Savings
Tree |
A
guide to Savings Accounts, from Cash ISA's to
Regular Savers to Premium Bonds, all explained
in an easy to understand manner. |
|
|
Users
Groups | Profile
| Messages
| FAQ | Sponsers
& Links | Member
list | Recommend this site | Top Money Saving Sitee
© 2004 - 2007 Moneyforums.co.uk / Market Oracle Ltd - Asserts copyright on all topics & posts made on this site. Moneyforums are open forums, and thus posts are NOT endorsed by Moneyforums.co.uk / Market Oracle Ltd . Any and all information provided within the Website is for general information purposes only and nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or other advice. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you purchase any product and/or service. All tools and guides are provided as is for general information purposes only.
|
|
|
