Vulnerable To Eviction Despite Being On Full Housing Benefit

[vipauk]

For the last eighteen months I have been in receipt of full housing benefit due to health issues. My letting agent (Your Move) has since day one sent me letters demanding arrears be paid, but currently are seeking repossession for the sake of £ 350. My rent is £ 530.

 

The reason this issue has come up is because housing benefit is paid in arrears whilst rent is expected on a set day in advance.

 

I haven't had this problem with previous agents when renting. Previously I was with John Healy in Eastbourne and Sovereign Estates in Ashford, Kent. I now reside in Maidstone.

 

I hope to get a crisis loan from the dss to help me solve this problem, but that's not the point. It puts me into further debt.

 

I spent all last night looking for information on this catch 22 to see if anyone else had had any experience of it, but most sites were unhelpful.

 

To me it seems unfair and wrong that someone on full benefit is still liable for repossession on account of this catch 22. It seems a quirk of the system that needs challenging and maybe campaigning against.

 

I would apprieciate any feedback of similar experiences and would also value any advice that could help me and others on this forum.

 

Thanks

 

Vipa

[Guest Old_andrew2018]

Any news or up date

[Kentish Lass]

I feel sorry your your predicament, but private landlords expect to be paid in advance. Did you receive help to pay the deposit? You should also have been helped with the first month's rent so that you would not end up owing money like this.

 

Unfortunately, this sort of problem is another reason why so many private landlords will not let property to people in receipt of benefits and it is very unfair.