In the 21st century (in the UK), is a housing advert with 'No DSS' akin to 'No blacks, Irish or dogs...

Question

...of the mid 20th century? Would landlords indeed feel economically worse off if the law was changed to accept all? The reason I ask, is that a friend who left school the same time, and worked soon after leaving school in the mid eighties, was involved in an accident a couple of years ago, and suffere from epilepsy. He searched for flats in Birmingham, but was told 'no DSS', despite telling landlords of his situation. Are epileptics (and other disabled in the UK) the blacks and Irish of the - er, understanding - 21st century? Will this bugbear ever be changed?

Some landlord’s refuse to accept recipients of DSS because they do not wish to disclose that they are letting properties on the rental market. Whenever a DSS claimant makes an application for housing benefit (social welfare rent payments), the landlord is registered on the local council’s records and as a result also with the Inland Revenue services. Clever boogers!

So, James...it is indeed like 1957 again, but it's a different group - and a trickle of the 'old school' (some habits never die in England) - who are getting the boot in 2007. I appreciate your observation, sir.

Answer 1

Yep, i think it is disgrimination. I have two autistic children and are therefore DSS.
Our last landlord kicked us out after a year (with no reason) all because he was getting his rent in cash and not declaring it. He had not known we were DSS because a family member had dealt with us. We assumed she passed the info on but hadn't. She knew we would recieve the benefit and pay him in cash so he would never suspect. Until of course he was asked to confirm our rent amount for the housing and so he gave us notice.
Fortunately we found a really nice landlord who was willing to take the risk as it were. He came to the conclusion that unless both our chioldren died (which I really don't want to happen) then our benefit was pretty much guaranteed until they reach 18 or leave home. Not sure how the system works!

Answer 2

I am not sure of all the ins and outs of DSS in the UK but if I understand correctly, a landlord is not required to accept DSS funding unless he/she has over a certain number of rental properties. And many landlords do not want to take this payment because it takes longer to get into their hands than collecting traditional rent, and because it is often less than the market value of the flat. So I don't find it unusual that a private party renting a flat would stipulate No DSS. In the States we have Section 8 which is basically the same thing, and landlords do not have to accept Section 8 tenants unless they own more than 5 rental properties. Many of the smaller landlords choose not to accept Section 8 because it takes the government several months to process the payments.

Answer 3

Now let me see - you think Landlords they don't want anyone to know they are letting a property but ADVERTISE 'no DDS' ???

Maybe you still think Inland Revenue is run by 'Gentlemen' who would not go snooping in the small ads to discover who's not paying Tax ??

Fat chance - they have Computers that automatically scan EVERY publication, matching phone numbers and addresses to Tax payers ... they even have people going around Car Boot Sales taking down Car Numbers ... and there's a whole Team checking eBay for anyone with a 'sellers' feedback rating of over 500 ..

As for Landlords - well it's almost impossible to prove discrimination in the private letting market ... (I know some Landlords refuse to let to single young females - reason being they either let their boyfriends move in 'for free' or they get pregnant, give up work to have the kid, and then can't pay the rent - and it's impossible to evict someone with a newborn )

Answer 4

Many retail premises and public houses often deplay a sign which states "the management reserve the right to refuse admittance" which basically means they can refuse to serve or admit any persons they require and do not have to give an explanation, i expect this ruling can be used by landlords to justify who they can let too. i expect many landlords have predjudices but at the end of the day the law says you can choose who you can do business with.

Answer 5

:merely asians are welcome' extra advantageous manchester, it quite is unlawful, the police will inspect for sure.. **** do not carry your breath.. ha merely sent the gum tree human beings this digital mail.. "hello i've got have been given a white intercourse slave toddler, she's not asian nevertheless yet in council care, can she be rapped at this address with none consequences the socialists mentioned it became ok, is it nonetheless?" dashing off to study all approximately this tale on the bbc..

Answer 6

This is illigal under the disability discrimination act. I am not sure if you can do anything about it, but if your friend can then they should. Why don't you start a petition on the Downing Street website and seee if they will change this.

Would you consider signing my petitions on disabilty rights

Access to work http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/jobs-disability/
Talking Books http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Talking-Books/

Answer 7

this is a horrible discrimination as it means he will find it hard to get anywhere....his best bet is to lie when filling in forms.

as long as they dont ask for a Doc check up then he will be fine

Answer 8

good point,
my partner has bipolar and had the same trouble