I have a prospective tenant who is claiming benefits, is this a potential problem for me?

I麓m a UK landlord looking for a tenant, one interested chap says he is claiming benefits but can provide good references. Is this a bad situation and I should avoid him? or is he just the same as any other in all important aspects?? Would his rent payment be from the government office providing the benefits or does he receive the payment and then pay me as would any other tenant?? What麓s the downside to having him as a tenant??

The reasons I can give you to avoid that guy are the same exact reasons that you had in mind as you wrote that question.

Avoid the bloke and rent to someone with a JOB.

You would get the rent directly from the council that covers your area. The only downside I can think of is that the claims do take a while and you may have no rent from the council for some time. In this time, matey has a registered address and can carry on regardless. if he leaves before you get your first rent cheque, it can cause major hassle for you. But if he turns out to be a model tenent, you have no worries whatsoever

If the guy is unemployed and on benefits you have the fact that he is going to be sitting around the house a lot. The stereotype is that he is lazy and not really going to be a good tenant. Of course that's a stereotype.

Personally I'd want someone with a job and great references.

he will get the money to give to you and if he has already been getting his rent paid for him else where at least you are guaranteed it my step dad does the same thing and he always says he hasn't got a problem with people on benefits although if you are renting through an agency some of them don't take people on benefits. the only problem you could have is the government wont pay the tenant as much as you want to get for the property. hope this helps.

AVOID HIM LIKE THE PLAGUE

When he stops paying the rent, trust me the government does nothing to help you claim anything back. My friend is still suffering after renting out to a benefit claimant. They have legally aggreed to pay 10 months owed rent at only ???10 pounds a month as thats all they can afford. It ends up more of a battle for you, legally they can even claim squatters rights, will become a problem to get them out again.

Other downside is that they tend to wreck the place, its returned in an abysmal state. At least professionals respect your place, even those from abroad are a better choice than a benefit claimer.

The benefit is for their survival for food etc, so they will start cutting back on paying the rent properly after being nice for the 1st couple of months, just to have u fooled.

The only problem with renting to a tenant receiving benefits is the housing benefit can take months to come through, depends if you are in the financial position to wait for the backpayment of rent

he would be ok if the rent was paid straight into your bank. but if he was given it first he doesn't have to pay you. and if they find out that he as worked while claiming rental benefit they might comedown on you for repayment even if he didn't pay you. so be careful and see into it first

infact having a person on benefit is good you get your rent paid direct to you monthly from the benefit people so at least you dont have to knock on the door and hear the excuse some tennents make,dont judge people on benefit like myself im on benefit and too i live in a private house with a landlord,i have turned my house into my castle and im proud of it there should be more properties for us peolpe on benefit, has long has you get references and ring to check them you will have no probs good luck..

He is honest enough to tell you that he is claiming benefits but be very careful who you rent to and certainly take up any references offered. I believe the norm is now for you to be paid direct from the tennant. I rented my house out to my best friend when I left for Spain, she never paid the rent which was covering the small mortgage and I lost my house and also my best friend. Keep track of any money coming in and get a good deposit to cover any damages or any unpaid utility bills. Good Luck