If you rent a property and claim housing benefit, will your landlord have to know?
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December 12th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
It sounds like you’re talking about the housing choice voucher program, or section 8, right?
If that’s the case, the landlord absolutely has to know. Housing assistance programs pay directly to the landlord, they do not pay to the tenant (for more than obvious reasons..). Landlords have the choice of whether or not to accept such things.
Now, if you’re thinking you will need to get on this type of assistance, you should contact your local housing authority or whomever handles the voucher program for your area ASAP. In metropolitan areas, there is often a long waiting list for these benefits (in medium sized cities it can easily take more than a year to be approved).
That should really be the first step you take. From there, they will help you find affordable housing. They often network with landlords that DO accept voucher payments, and will send you in the right direction. Also, you may not even qualify for it…you’ll want to know that well before you find a place. Bear in mind that they determine how much you will get based on your eligibility factors, such as disabilities and dependents. While you may think you’re low income, eligibility is relative to how low income you are compared to the rest of the local population.
December 14th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Because housing benefit gets paid directly to the landlord from the government. Most landlords will require that you provide verifiable proof of sufficient income to afford the rental unit. In order to accept that payment the landlord gives up substantial legal protections of thier property
December 15th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
YES! This cannot be done without them knowing because most programs require them to fill out some paperwork in order for it to get approved. Also, most of these programs pay the rent directly to the landlord. No state requires landlords to accept these programs. If they say no housing then you just have to find another place.
I do not know why so many do not accept it, but that is their right.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Your landlord will know because any benefit you would receive would be mailed directly to him
December 21st, 2009 at 3:49 am
If your in the UK, when you apply for a property, you will have to give references, one of which is employment. The landlord needs to know how you intend to pay your rent? You will therefore have to say you will be applying for BH.
Once you have become entitled to HB the payments are sent to you, not as others have said to the landlord.
December 24th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Alta is incorrect saying the payments will automatically go to you instead of the landlord with regard to housing benefit. I have a tenant who has been with me for several years, has recently lost his job given the current financial situation, and has had to apply for housing benefit. The payments are paid directly into my bank account as his landlord and everyone is happy with this arrangements. In this case his housing benefit does not cover the rent, but it is my decision to accept this lower amount because he is such a good tenant and as long as the mortgage is covered I’m ok with that. Discuss the situation with any potention landlord – it would have to be a private let rather than an agency – because some landlords would be happy with the situation if the rent is paid direct to them – the question is whether your allowance will cover the rent – and also the length of time it takes for the benefits office to process the paperwork. However, once that paperwork has gone through your landlord is guaranteed his rent. ASK – don’t give up – some of us landlords are very approachable you know! Good luck with the situation.