DSS Renting property

[Suetheramble]

I live in a block of flats which has no Dss tenants living because the freeholders will not allow them. I would have thought this was prejudice. The freeholders have to see references before people are allowed to move in thus filtering out DSS.Discuss?

[sara3]

if I were a landlord and accepted tenants on benefit, I'd be assured the rent would be paid directly to me.

of course I may have to accept that my property may not be treated with much respect.

there's no such thing as "DSS tenants". the DSS has been the DWP for donkey's years, and the DWP does not pay Housing Benefit. that's the local authority.

if I owned a property it would be absolutely my choice who I let it to.

[Suetheramble]

Rent is no longer paid directly by the DSS in most cases it is paid to the tenant who then pays the landlord.
The point I am trying to make is the freeholders permission has to be obtained and permission is not given for DSS - even if the landlord wishes. If permission by the freeholder is not given there would be a breach of the lease if the owner places the Dss in the flat. I would have thought this was prejudice.

[sara3]

I wouldn't.

and once again, the Dept of Social Security became the Dept for Works and Pensions many many years ago. Neither the DWP nor the long-gone DSS ever paid housing benefit. that is paid by the Local Authority.

[sherrardk]

It wouldn't matter who you were renting your property to - you can still ask for a deposit. I think it is an outrageous suggestion to assume that a tenant in receipt of Housing Benefit would treat a property with any less respect than a private tenant.

[Buenchico]

Of course you're right that the freeholder's action constitute discrimination, based upon prejudice, but that doesn't make them illegal.

In general anyone is free to display prejudice against, and to discriminate against, who they like (or, more accurately, who they probably don't like). It's only specific types of discrimination which are illegal under specific circumstances (e.g. when based upon the race, age, gender or sexual orientation of the person being discriminated against). Discrimination against poor people, homeless people, socially disadvantaged people or those in receipt of benefits is perfectly lawful. Whether that's a bad thing (because of the difficulties it presents to such people) or a good thing (because it enables landlords to retain their right to decide who occupies their properties) is a matter for your social conscience.

Chris