If rent allowance is refused I'll be homeless

LegacyUser

I lost my job recently. I all applying for work ever since but have found nothing yet.

I am trying to apply for rent allowance. My landlord says he will only sign the form for a couple of months. This means that if I don't have a job by them I will be homeless. It is a owner occupier house. Can he really do this if I haven't found work by then?

Also I pay more rent than the rent allowance will cover so if I put my true amount on the form it will be refused. Can I put the lower amount on it? (I will have to manage to cover the rest out of my dole).

Casillas

Your landlord may be apprehensive about losing out on rent and may just be acting cautious. Just pay your rent in full on time and if you haven't found something in a few months, point out how you didn't miss a payment and caused no hassle. Hopefully he's just testing the waters to see what kind of a tenant you are.

LegacyUser

I've lived here for 15 months so he knows what kind of person I am.

ChubbyHubby

Rent a cheaper place, a room, or consider moving back home, or see if any friends will put you up. Basically if you can't afford the rent then you are living beyond your means and you are commiting fraud by lying on the rent allowance form.

LegacyUser

As your living in a rent a room situation then you have very few rights as your not covered by the 2004 residential tenancy act. This means the owner of the house can ask you live with little to no notice. And before someone starts screaming how unfair that is I didn't say I agreed with it or that the OP's LL would do this, just stating the facts with regards owner occupied properties. Be aware of your rights or lack there of OP.

With regards to the amount of rent you would be expected to ask your LL to lower the rent to meet the rent allowance and if they won't then you will be expected to move somewhere cheaper [again not saying I agree or disagree with the policy just stating the current set up]

Casillas

I can't believe this wrote: »

I've lived here for 15 months so he knows what kind of person I am.

That's different then, I guess you'll have to look at moving. Speak to your community welfare officer and s/he might be able to help you move.

LegacyUser

Casillas wrote: »

That's different then, I guess you'll have to look at moving. Speak to your community welfare officer and s/he might be able to help you move.

I've been looking at other places but nobody is willing to take me on as soon as they hear I will need rent allowance form signed until I find work.

mood

Sorry this is bit off topic but I currently live in a owner occupier house. It is far from ideal and I would never do it again or advise anyone else to either. The fact that you have little or not legal rights as a tenant is a major problem. I am sure there are plenty of owner occupier landlords who are fine but after my current experience I will never do it again. Moving soon and I can't wait

Sorry I can't offer advice OP.

Casillas

I can't believe this wrote: »

I've been looking at other places but nobody is willing to take me on as soon as they hear I will need rent allowance form signed until I find work.

I'd definitely speak to the the CWO, they should have a list of landlords that accept RA and may be able to help. It might be worth putting an ad in the paper too or speaking to a real estate agent. There are LL's out there that would gladly accept RA, you're just having a run of bad-luck. Don't let it get you down though, times are tough.