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Rental discrimination by Social Housing Landlord
Hi everyone
I could really do with a little help here. I have searched and searched online and I cannot find an answer or any legislation that prevents this.
I have been a tenant of a social housing landlord now for about 15 years. Because of disability my rent was always paid by housing benefit but having had my knee replacement I am now actively seeking work once more and hope that things on that front will change soon.
My tenancy is an assured tenancy and because my husband and I live in a 2 bed flat we incur the "bedroom tax" which we duly pay every month without fail. We have a serious noise nuisance problem here with all the city centre drunks congregating outside our flat and creating havoc nightly and have been seeking alternate accommodation.
We registered on the Homehunt website as trying to rent in the private sector when all or part of your rent is paid by Housing Benefit is pointless. Most private landlords view anyone in receipt of housing benefit as scum and I don't blame them as they have probably had really bad experiences with housing benefits tenants in the past and therefore "tarred and feathered" all of us.
Our landlord has only a handful of 1 bed properties which they tend to let to young people. The rest of their properties are 2 bedroom flats but despite the fact that their livelihood is derived from Social Housings Lettings this is how their properties are now being advertised.
This is an advert almost verbatim (I have only omitted the actual location and name of the flats using XX's) for one of the flats in the same block of flats in which I currently reside. The CCTV is seldom viewed, the lifts don't stop at the floors they are supposed to and the emergency help button is disconnected and we have at least two drug dealers residing here - but that is by the by.
The line that does concern me is the stipulation that they will not let their properties to anyone who has to rely on housing benefit for payment of all or part of the rent.
This company is a Social Housing Landlord using registered charity status to provide housing to the overflow of tenants that the local council cannot house. They don't have private sector tenants but it would appear that this sector is the only sector that they are now catering to.
Is this legal? Is there any legislation anywhere that helps or protects the rights of tenants of social housing landlords from this sort of discrimination as it falls outside the scope of the normal discrimination legislation?
I would really appreciate any feedback that you can give.
2 bed flats available within Northwood Court, Hanley. These properties are well maintained and situated in close proximity to Hanley City Centre and local bus routes. High rise flats benefiting from 24 hour CCTV and views across Stoke on Trent. Lift access to all floor levels. No pets are allowed in these properties. Single applicants or couples may apply for underoccupation of property, however will only be successful if able to pay rent without help from Housing benefit. Any offer of tenancy will be strictly subject to a satisfactory reference, including previous tenancy conduct and personal interview. - See more at: https://www.homehunt.co.uk/Property/....KTan58PD.dpuf
2 bed flats available within Northwood Court, Hanley. These properties are well maintained and situated in close proximity to Hanley City Centre and local bus routes. High rise flats benefiting from 24 hour CCTV and views across Stoke on Trent. Lift access to all floor levels. No pets are allowed in these properties. Single applicants or couples may apply for underoccupation of property, however will only be successful if able to pay rent without help from Housing benefit. Any offer of tenancy will be strictly subject to a satisfactory reference, including previous tenancy conduct and personal interview. - See more at: https://www.homehunt.co.uk/Property/....KTan58PD.dpuf
2 bed flats available within Northwood Court, Hanley. These properties are well maintained and situated in close proximity to Hanley City Centre and local bus routes. High rise flats benefiting from 24 hour CCTV and views across Stoke on Trent. Lift access to all floor levels. No pets are allowed in these properties. Single applicants or couples may apply for underoccupation of property, however will only be successful if able to pay rent without help from Housing benefit. Any offer of tenancy will be strictly subject to a satisfactory reference, including previous tenancy conduct and personal interview. - See more at: https://www.homehunt.co.uk/Property/....KTan58PD.dpuf
I could really do with a little help here. I have searched and searched online and I cannot find an answer or any legislation that prevents this.
I have been a tenant of a social housing landlord now for about 15 years. Because of disability my rent was always paid by housing benefit but having had my knee replacement I am now actively seeking work once more and hope that things on that front will change soon.
My tenancy is an assured tenancy and because my husband and I live in a 2 bed flat we incur the "bedroom tax" which we duly pay every month without fail. We have a serious noise nuisance problem here with all the city centre drunks congregating outside our flat and creating havoc nightly and have been seeking alternate accommodation.
We registered on the Homehunt website as trying to rent in the private sector when all or part of your rent is paid by Housing Benefit is pointless. Most private landlords view anyone in receipt of housing benefit as scum and I don't blame them as they have probably had really bad experiences with housing benefits tenants in the past and therefore "tarred and feathered" all of us.
Our landlord has only a handful of 1 bed properties which they tend to let to young people. The rest of their properties are 2 bedroom flats but despite the fact that their livelihood is derived from Social Housings Lettings this is how their properties are now being advertised.
"2 bed flats available within XXXXXX, ST1 ... These properties are well maintained and situated in close proximity to XXXX city centre and local bus routes. High rise flats benefiting from 24 hour CCTV and views across XXXX. Lift access to all floor levels. No pets allowed in these properties. Single applicants or couples may apply for underoccupation of property, however will only be successful if able to pay rent without help from Housing Benefit. Any offer of tenancy will be strictly subject to a satisfactory reference, including previous tenancy conduct and interview."
The line that does concern me is the stipulation that they will not let their properties to anyone who has to rely on housing benefit for payment of all or part of the rent.
This company is a Social Housing Landlord using registered charity status to provide housing to the overflow of tenants that the local council cannot house. They don't have private sector tenants but it would appear that this sector is the only sector that they are now catering to.
Is this legal? Is there any legislation anywhere that helps or protects the rights of tenants of social housing landlords from this sort of discrimination as it falls outside the scope of the normal discrimination legislation?
I would really appreciate any feedback that you can give.
2 bed flats available within Northwood Court, Hanley. These properties are well maintained and situated in close proximity to Hanley City Centre and local bus routes. High rise flats benefiting from 24 hour CCTV and views across Stoke on Trent. Lift access to all floor levels. No pets are allowed in these properties. Single applicants or couples may apply for underoccupation of property, however will only be successful if able to pay rent without help from Housing benefit. Any offer of tenancy will be strictly subject to a satisfactory reference, including previous tenancy conduct and personal interview. - See more at: https://www.homehunt.co.uk/Property/....KTan58PD.dpuf
2 bed flats available within Northwood Court, Hanley. These properties are well maintained and situated in close proximity to Hanley City Centre and local bus routes. High rise flats benefiting from 24 hour CCTV and views across Stoke on Trent. Lift access to all floor levels. No pets are allowed in these properties. Single applicants or couples may apply for underoccupation of property, however will only be successful if able to pay rent without help from Housing benefit. Any offer of tenancy will be strictly subject to a satisfactory reference, including previous tenancy conduct and personal interview. - See more at: https://www.homehunt.co.uk/Property/....KTan58PD.dpuf
2 bed flats available within Northwood Court, Hanley. These properties are well maintained and situated in close proximity to Hanley City Centre and local bus routes. High rise flats benefiting from 24 hour CCTV and views across Stoke on Trent. Lift access to all floor levels. No pets are allowed in these properties. Single applicants or couples may apply for underoccupation of property, however will only be successful if able to pay rent without help from Housing benefit. Any offer of tenancy will be strictly subject to a satisfactory reference, including previous tenancy conduct and personal interview. - See more at: https://www.homehunt.co.uk/Property/....KTan58PD.dpuf
