PAK is in his early 30's he has acute dyslexia, dyspraxia, Asperger's syndrome and Autism. His conditions have made it virtually impossible to find 'Paid work.' employers are just not willing to give him a go. PAK has been doing quite a lot of voluntary work with his church and a local youth group - he works a sound desk at church, controlling the levels and recording the services for people who are unable to attend services. He is an active member of two or three groups within the church and has helped to run an 18-35 group and has just started to work with the church youth group. In addition to this, he works wit a Local Authority Community Youth Group.
My second son MAK is in his 20's - he is in a relationship they have a 2yo son, and MAK has a full-time carer who lives with them. MAK has a disability called 'Functional Neurological Disorder ' (FND) or (USA) Somatoform Dysfunction (SD) [See Google] He uses a wheelchair and crutches, is unable to walk but can shuffle using his crutches over short distances. He has (currently) nearly full use of his arms and upper body but his condition renders his lower body 'strengthless' and 'out of his control.'
MAK has had this condition throughout the past 15 years or so, sometimes his condition moves into a sort of 'remission' and he gains feeling and mobility improvement, but this hasn't happened for the past three years.
Although this isn't the main subject I want to talk about in this blog I hope the above makes it clear that both my lads are genuinely disabled. Both PAK and MAK do as much as they are able in their local communities and have the respect of friends and neighbours, Both currently live in 'Private Rented Accommodation' in the city.
Cost of Renting Over and Above Housing Benefit.
Many people think folk living in rented housing paid for by housing benefit as some sort of 'easy, cheap and nice option' but in our experience it is anything but!
Put aside the fact that the monthly rent is paid for a moment and look (if you will) with me at the other costs we incur.
1.Admin Charge.
2.Bond
The Admin Charge. Payable at the beginning of the applications process - this cost varies from £80 to £200 depending on the Agent, Landlord and property.
The Bond. Payable on (just before) the keys are handed over. This amount again varies from 1 - 2 months rent, £450-£900 this varies according to the property, letting agent and landlords preference.
In the past 10 years, my two sons have been forced to move a total of 9 times. For each of them, only one occasion was by choice. Each time they move they incur an outlay of nearly £1000. While I accept the admin charge is non-returnable the Bond is supposed to be returned at the time of leaving the property (less any repairs etc) In the past 10 years we have only had 1 Bond returned. The landlord always claims for damages of these properties even though the 'faults' are invariably caused by the lack of maintenance being carried out on the property.
Each move (apart from 2) has been instigated because of one or two reasons.
1. Landlord claims his/her property back.
2. Eviction because of a complaint about maintenance/repairs issues.
Current rental properties.
PAK rents a 1960's flat, his landlord/letting agent can be difficult to communicate with and some repairs take up-to 3-4 months to complete - a recent example is his flush toilet, the flush stopped working 4 months ago and it was finally fixed yesterday, actually the toilet needs replacing but the Land Lord won't spend anything on the flat. About a year ago (with permission) I installed a new kitchen in the flat at a cost of £1500 but the Landlord still refuses to do anything but the minimum of repairs. The gas boiler is also in need of replacement (installed in the 60's) it only just passes inspection when tested and fails to come on if the wind blows too strongly in one direction because the pilot light blows out.
The gas fire in the lounge was condemned 12 months ago and the Landlord refuses to replace it with either a gas or electric replacement.
Cost over and above Housing Benefit on this flat so far. £1500 for kitchen and £800 bond.
MAK rents an ex-council house on a large estate. The house is a 1930's building, the lower floor has insulated cavity-walls but the upper floor is 9 inch solid-walls pebble-dashed to the exterior. Internally the property is in very poor repair and upstairs a serious damp and mold problem exists.
The Landlord refuses to do any repairs and maintenance even when instructed to by the 'Housing Inspector' from the local authority. One example of this is a refusal to repair or replace both external doors. Because of the security risk to the family and their possessions I have (at my own expense and in my own time) dismantled both doors, repaired, rebuilt and rehung both doors and frames (as they were incorrectly fitted). A friend and I replaced the kitchen floor covering and I built a (make & mend) kitchen for their use, The landlord refused to replace the kitchen - even though it was falling to pieces.
Cost over and above Housing Benefit on this house so far. Bond £900 repairs to doors and kitchen revamp £300.
In both of my sons situations, the landlord will not give an extended lease, (both 12 months) both are unwilling to do repairs on request/ LA demand. If my sons are evicted or leave to move elsewhere there is a strong likelihood they will not get their bonds back, even if they do it will take a few months so someone (probably me) will have to provide the Bond/Admin cost.
In addition to this Land Lords locally are now expecting tenants to 'Top-up' shortfall in the rental payments from Housing Benefit so if my sons do move they may well have to pay £10 or £15 per week extra out of their 'other benefits.'
People tend to think people living on disability benefits have an easy life. But in some ways it has always been quite hard, In the past 4.5 years it has become even harder.
