UK Judge Rules 'No DSS' as Discrimination

[Gormwood]

What is Section 8?

I know what section 8 is, and how it works. I did not understand your comment

Denying DSS applicans housing.

[Ethel mermania]

I know what section 8 is, and how it works. I did not understand your comment

Denying DSS applicans housing.

Which I am pretty sure I said was a bad thing. DSS though isnt section 8. Section 8 is US only..

As an aside: As to section 8, the feds allow landlords to say no to section 8 tenants. Many states say a landlord cant deny on that basis.

[Chan Island]

It's nice to have some good news for a change. This ruling should be welcomed.

[Greed and Death]

Denying DSS applicans housing.

Which I am pretty sure I said was a bad thing. DSS though isnt section 8. Section 8 is US only..

As an aside: As to section 8, the feds allow landlords to say no to section 8 tenants. Many states say a landlord cant deny on that basis.

DSS is the UK's section 8. The judge said that landlords cannot deny an applicant housing on the bases the applicant is using DSS to meet all or part of the rent.

Many states allow this discrimination and the few that disallow it still essentially allow it because Landlords can deny section 8 users based off credit scores or another stand in for low income status.

[Ethel mermania]

Which I am pretty sure I said was a bad thing. DSS though isnt section 8. Section 8 is US only..

As an aside: As to section 8, the feds allow landlords to say no to section 8 tenants. Many states say a landlord cant deny on that basis.

DSS is the UK's section 8. The judge said that landlords cannot deny an applicant housing on the bases the applicant is using DSS to meet all or part of the rent.

Many states allow this discrimination and the few that disallow it still essentially allow it because Landlords can deny section 8 users based off credit scores or another stand in for low income status.

It seems to cover more than section 8, as the disabled get SSI, or SSDI here.

It's been an awful long time since I looked at this. Ny and Jersey are pretty good at helping with low income housing. I cant speak to the rest of the country.

[SD_Film Artists]

Which I am pretty sure I said was a bad thing. DSS though isnt section 8. Section 8 is US only..

As an aside: As to section 8, the feds allow landlords to say no to section 8 tenants. Many states say a landlord cant deny on that basis.

DSS is the UK's section 8.

Or rather it used to be DSS, but now "DSS" is just shorthand for 'prospective tenant who recieves working-age benefits'. It's also plausible that some landlords really are so out of touch that they actualy think that the UK benefits system hasn't changed since they bought their house for £5 and a chocoate bar back in 1981, their demonstrated attitudes towards 'DSS' tenants being evidence to this.

BTW it's still fine to say 'DSS' in this thread as it's not a slur per se.

[Salus Maior]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

[Gormwood]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

Munny.

[Fartsniffage]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

It used to only really be a thing if the rent was higher than the amount the government would pay directly to the landlord, needing a top up from the renter. People on benefits tend to be short on money so it was seen as a risk.

Since Universal Credit came in and the housing benefit goes directly to the welfare recipient landlords began seeing renting to anyone on benefits as a risk since they wouldn't be getting any money directly from the government and had to rely on the renter entirely.

[Salus Maior]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

Munny.

Isn't the point of benefits that the people would have money to pay for housing in the first place?

Or am I just misunderstanding what government benefits are?

[Salus Maior]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

It used to only really be a thing if the rent was higher than the amount the government would pay directly to the landlord, needing a top up from the renter. People on benefits tend to be short on money so it was seen as a risk.

Since Universal Credit came in and the housing benefit goes directly to the welfare recipient landlords began seeing renting to anyone on benefits as a risk since they wouldn't be getting any money directly from the government and had to rely on the renter entirely.

Hm, I can kind of see the problem here.

I'm not a huge fan of landlords but I can see where their concern is.

[CoraSpia]

It used to only really be a thing if the rent was higher than the amount the government would pay directly to the landlord, needing a top up from the renter. People on benefits tend to be short on money so it was seen as a risk.

Since Universal Credit came in and the housing benefit goes directly to the welfare recipient landlords began seeing renting to anyone on benefits as a risk since they wouldn't be getting any money directly from the government and had to rely on the renter entirely.

Hm, I can kind of see the problem here.

I'm not a huge fan of landlords but I can see where their concern is.

Landlords who care about pr didn't do this. The main risk is that they won't receive any rant for months and it'll take an inordinately long time to get rid of your problem tenants. Landlords can see a lot more info about previous rent payments now so barring all benefits tenants is no longer necessary, if it ever was in the first place.

[Ethel mermania]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

It used to only really be a thing if the rent was higher than the amount the government would pay directly to the landlord, needing a top up from the renter. People on benefits tend to be short on money so it was seen as a risk.

Since Universal Credit came in and the housing benefit goes directly to the welfare recipient landlords began seeing renting to anyone on benefits as a risk since they wouldn't be getting any money directly from the government and had to rely on the renter entirely.

Then the renters credit history would be a legitimate grounds to reject someone. If they have a history of not paying for stuff, why should a landlord rent to them?.

If the state is providing a rental voucher to the recipient or paying the landlord directly, then the renters credit history shouldnt matter.

Or am I misunderstanding something?

[Fartsniffage]

It used to only really be a thing if the rent was higher than the amount the government would pay directly to the landlord, needing a top up from the renter. People on benefits tend to be short on money so it was seen as a risk.

Since Universal Credit came in and the housing benefit goes directly to the welfare recipient landlords began seeing renting to anyone on benefits as a risk since they wouldn't be getting any money directly from the government and had to rely on the renter entirely.

Then the renters credit history would be a legitimate grounds to reject someone. If they have a history of not paying for stuff, why should a landlord rent to them?.

If the state is providing a rental voucher to the recipient or paying the landlord directly, then the renters credit history shouldnt matter.

Or am I misunderstanding something?

It's not a rental voucher, it's cash directly into a bank account. The rest is pretty much spot on.

[Ethel mermania]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

If the benefit was partial, you want to make sure you are getting paid the full amount.

[Ethel mermania]

Then the renters credit history would be a legitimate grounds to reject someone. If they have a history of not paying for stuff, why should a landlord rent to them?.

If the state is providing a rental voucher to the recipient or paying the landlord directly, then the renters credit history shouldnt matter.

Or am I misunderstanding something?

It's not a rental voucher, it's cash directly into a bank account. The rest is pretty much spot on.

Of the renter or landlord?. In the city a section 8 recipient gets a voucher that can only be used for rent.

[Diopolis]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

Because potential residents who aren't on benefits don't always like to be around those who are?

[Fartsniffage]

It's not a rental voucher, it's cash directly into a bank account. The rest is pretty much spot on.

Of the renter or landlord?. In the city a section 8 recipient gets a voucher that can only be used for rent.

Used to be to the landlord, now it's to the tenant.

Well not completely nationally yet. Universal Credit is still being rolled out so the system is mixed at the moment.

[CoraSpia]

Why would you reject someone for being on housing benefits in the first place?

Because potential residents who aren't on benefits don't always like to be around those who are?

I don't like to be around my neighbours, they like to throw loud parties. They hate us, we have chickens. We don't get to choose who lives around us though.

[Diopolis]

Because potential residents who aren't on benefits don't always like to be around those who are?

I don't like to be around my neighbours, they like to throw loud parties. They hate us, we have chickens. We don't get to choose who lives around us though.

I mean, there's a reason I wouldn't move into a section 8 apartment.

[CoraSpia]

I don't like to be around my neighbours, they like to throw loud parties. They hate us, we have chickens. We don't get to choose who lives around us though.

I mean, there's a reason I wouldn't move into a section 8 apartment.

Because you can afford to live somewhere nicer?

[Diopolis]

I mean, there's a reason I wouldn't move into a section 8 apartment.

Because you can afford to live somewhere nicer?

Actually, not really. I wouldn't move into a section 8 apartment despite qualifying.

[Gormwood]

I mean, there's a reason I wouldn't move into a section 8 apartment.

Because you can afford to live somewhere nicer?

Section 8 housing tends towards slums.

[CoraSpia]

Because you can afford to live somewhere nicer?

Section 8 housing tends towards slums.

That doesn't surprise me.

[Ethel mermania]

Because you can afford to live somewhere nicer?

Actually, not really. I wouldn't move into a section 8 apartment despite qualifying.

You put me at 55th street and 10th avenue 3 bedroom apt for 550 a month. I will quit my job and drive a yellow cab part time to qualify.

Full disclosure: 149th and grand concourse in the bronx, not so much.