mandryka
pfm Member
Don't follow this part, Mandryka. What has the council to do with your letting out a property and why do they have a say-so? Ah, just thought! Benefit claimants. I believe that rents used to come directly from the council but now it's directly from the tenant (not a good change from my sister's p.o.v.).
Yes and this is a result of Conservative policy, which is opposed to rent payment direct to landlords, except in very specific circumstances. And this in a context where gaining possession for arrears is a delicate, lengthy and expensive process, and recovering the debt may be unfeasible. What it means to me is that I won't take on people who don't have a very high income:rent ratio, effectively excluding everyone on benefits from my properties. I know many landlords who have the same policy as I do.
The government's approach to rent paid direct is a strategy which works to the detriment of the least well off, effectively dramatically reducing the options available for them.