Letting agents won't let to me as I'm on benefits

Eloise_H96

Hi!

Anyone have any advice on renting on full benefits?

No letting agents in my city will even give me a viewing for a property because they've set their affordability check just above what you can get on full UC with incapacity and highest PIP. I also have multiple financial guarantors, but they don't care.

I have argued with a few of them that this is discriminatory and I can clearly afford twice to three times the rent of the properties in asking to view. They rarely say it's because of disability or benefits, they just repeat over and over that I don't meet the affordability criteria.

I live in Cardiff, where rent it fairly high, but I can easily afford it with my benefits. I believe they're basing this on the amount they think UC will give me specifically for rent, even though I can dip into the rest of the funds for any extra.

I can't live in a shared house because I need wheelchair access and I'm too vulnerable to live with strangers.

I can't move away as I'd be leaving my whole life, support system, hospitals that I need to visit at least once a month, etc. and I will never be able to drive.

I'm on the council housing list, but I could be waiting up to 7 years to be offered anything, even though my current home is unsuitable.

Me and a friend want to move in together next, but she is also disabled and has a less reliable income (we can still afford the rent, though, and have guarantors).

Any advice on how to get a safe place to live independently long-term?

Kimmy87

Try Openrent where you bypass letting agents and communicate directly with the landlords

https://www.openrent.co.uk/

Your local council may have a list of benefit friendly landlords.