Home  /  Insights  /  Affordable Housing & Social Housing
Affordable Housing & Social Housing  

Renting on Benefits in London: Finding a Home

Blanket "No DSS" policies are unlawful.

Renting on Benefits in London: Finding a Home Affordable Housing & Social Housing

Updated October 2026 · Fraser Bond

Renting · Benefits

Renting on benefits

No DSSunlawful
LHAlimits
Depositschemes
Guarantorhelps
In short: Blanket "No DSS" policies are unlawful in England, and the Renters' Rights Act makes it an offence to discriminate against tenants because they receive benefits. Your housing support is capped at the Local Housing Allowance rate for your household size and area, so search within that budget or claim a Discretionary Housing Payment for a shortfall. Councils may offer deposit or rent-in-advance help. Fraser Bond welcomes applications from tenants receiving benefits, subject to the usual referencing.

Frequently asked questions

Can a landlord refuse me for being on benefits?

Not with a blanket ban.

What if rent is above LHA?

Ask the council about a DHP.

Looking for a home to rent?

Talk to our team or get a free valuation.

Speak to our teamGet a free valuation

Related guides

Next step

You are one message away from an answer.

If you have a question

Send it to us and get a straight answer.

Describe the property and the problem. We will tell you what we would do, what it should cost, and if we are not the right people, who is.

  • Replies the same working day
  • The person who answers is the person who handles it
  • No fee, and no obligation to instruct us
If you are looking for a property

See everything we are instructed on.

Sales and lettings across Prime Central London and the wider UK, with the same team behind every listing.

  • Residential and commercial in one search
  • Filter by borough, budget and size
  • Register once and we will send matches first