BIG PICTURE
people attending that property and there was maybe less than five in a couple of days going by what information estate agents have told us on the phone.
So it doesn’t seem to us that there is an inflation of people trying to move and rent but rather landlords selecting someone without giving everyone a chance to even provide their financial details and circumstances and estate agents saying viewings are full to everyone else who does not ‘fit’ the prejudice criteria of said landlord.
The properties are listed at a price which between us we could easily afford and manage, however they are not allowing or offering the properties to those working for minimum wage and are giving further obstacles to those on low-income who can provide a guarantor and have excellent credit scores.
The local council is not in a position to provide support for us due to the lack of social housing and the priority list and so we are having to resort to private renting yet, the sector is so biased towards high-class and those in a position that can afford properties at a higher cost but are clearly snatching up the affordable accommodations.
Multiple of these listings also claim they accept DSS and so it would be safe to assume these properties are aimed at or will at the very least consider those on lower income.
Yet they are turning around and telling us the landlord has stated we aren’t suitable because we aren’t earning enough.
The rental sector should be a place which of course landlords can feel a sense of confidence and security in the tenants but this should not result in the marginalisation of low-income individuals.
Whether working part-time, full-time or having to receive benefits for whatever reason that may be.
Everyone, no matter their race, gender, ethnicity or social class should have equal opportunities for accommodations and it does appear that we have been treated incredibly unfairly when it comes to trying to rent by landlords and estate agents alike and have faced a lot of unprofessional behaviour by estate agent workers too.
If we try for properties over our budget they turn around and tell us we are too much of a risk because of our income, but we are also told that we cannot pass the financial checks for properties we can afford, because of our income being deemed as ‘too low’ between us.
The level of distress trying to find accommodation has been unnecessary and has put strain on our health as well as our relationship, and we understand that renting at the moment is difficult due to the pandemic but all these elements coming together really highlight a bigger picture to us and what people face who work minimum wage by local authority and the private rental sector. Anonymous.
CUTS RISK DEBT CRISIS
THIS week the government ends much of the financial support provided to help people through the covid-19 pandemic and next week it plans to cut Universal Credit by £20 a week.
These cuts risk a long Covid debt crisis as 11 million people have built up £25 billion in arrears and debt since March 2020.
In Rossendale and Darwen, 8,761 people who receive Universal Credit will be affected by this cut.
This includes 3,456 people who are also currently in-work.
Problem debt disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in our society and is higher amongst low-income households, women, lone parents, communities of colour, disabled people and renters.
A ‘long covid debt hangover’ threatens to weigh down our community for years, worsening inequalities and making a genuine economic recovery impossible.
As well as stopping the proposed £20 cut to Universal Credit the government seriously needs to tackle problem debt in the UK – this means introducing grants and making it easier for those in problem debt to write it down in a fair and manageable way. Sue Eveleigh Whitworth
“First class job, good communication and service from the company. Reasonable price for great results. Recommended friends and family who are already in the process of having their houses completed”