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Government looks to ban ‘No DSS’ letting adverts
The government has called for an end to letting adverts that discriminate against tenants claiming housing benefit.
Heather Wheeler, minister for housing and homelessness, revealed today that she would be pushing for “immediate change” to stop letting agents applying ‘No DSS’ rules when advertising for tenants.
Out of 4.5 million people currently living in private rented accommodation, around 889,000 receive housing benefit to help pay their rent.
However, research by the National Housing Federation and Shelter last August found that 10% of letting agents have a policy not to rent to anyone on housing benefit, regardless of whether they could afford it.
The research, which surveyed 149 letting agents, also found that nearly half had no suitable homes or landlords willing to let to someone on housing benefit.
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As part of the government’s plans, Ms Wheeler will be meeting with mortgage providers, landlord associations, tenant groups and property websites to clamp down on exclusions in adverts, with an aim on banning them completely.
Justin Tomlinson, minister for family support, housing and child maintenance, said it was important that everyone looking for a home had the same opportunity.
He added that under the Universal Credit system, rent payments could be paid directly to landlords but said the government would be looking for feedback from landlords on how to improve the system.
The move was welcomed by homelessness charity Centrepoint but it said the government must also urgently review the amount of housing benefit young people could claim so it kept pace with rent costs.
The Residential Landlords Association said that benefit claimants needed support with rented housing but also called for tenants to be given the option to have Universal Credit paid directly to landlords, and remove mortgage terms that prevent landlords from renting to claimants.
The calls for an end to ‘No DSS’ advertising came as the government announced it would be allocating £19.5m to 54 local authorities to support homeless or those at threat of being homeless to secure a property.
This support will see people given money to pay deposits to landlords or money towards their first months’ rent so properties that would otherwise be out of reach can be secured.
The funding will be allocated from the government’s £100m Rough Sleeping Strategy fund, which launched in August last year.
Bidding has also now opened for the government’s £26m Rapid Rehousing Pathway fund for 2019 to 2020.
Councils can bid for grants through the fund which will be used for innovative schemes that aim to help rough sleepers, those suffering from mental health issues and those dealing substance misuse.
Ms Wheeler said: “I want everyone to have the security, dignity and opportunities they need to build a better life – at the heart of which is ensuring everyone can find a safe and secure home to call their own.
This funding will make a huge difference in opening up the private rented sector to people who need it and give them the chance to rebuild their lives.
