On 28 Oct, 15:12, Mogga  wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:58:43 -0000, "Niteawk" 
> wrote:
>
> >Yes, the same good old nanny state that got rid of affordable housing and
> >sold control of our utilities to forigners, privatised everything and told
> >us by creating competition it would bring the cost of living down, all lies
> >of course.
>
> >You are meeting people who would rather be on benefits because it is an
> >affordable way to live without the risk of being made homeless. Nobody wants
> >a job that will leave them struggling to pay rent with an altrenative to
> >claim help with housing costs. Thats a definite no, people on the dole cant
> >afford to be in debt.
>
> Rents are too high! The rent officer says a fair rent for my street is
> 85 a week. Council charges 75. Private landlords charge 135 and 150
> ...
>
> If rents were fixed then landlords wouldn't buy houses so overpriced
> and non-landlords would be able to buy a house and live in it.
> --http://www.orderonlinepickupinstore.co.uk
> Ah fetch it yourself if you can't wait for deliveryhttp://www.freedeliveryuk.co.uk
> Or get it delivered for free

If rents were fixed then there wouldn't be much private rental
property to rent.
Its only the market that allows rents to be set at realistic prices
for the landlords.

Private landlords can charge what they want, doesn't mean they will
get a tenant.
People can get a rent assessment before agreeing to rent a property,
with the council saying what housing benefit will be paid for that
property.
If the actual rent is above housing benefit, its up to the individual
to find the extra if they want that place. Or get somewhere else.
People don't get conned into paying extra by the landlord (unless
unscrupulous one, of which there are some), if housing benefit is
checked first.

For market returns, rents are currently a bit low. Round here the rate
of return is about 1% - 1.5% a year on a property. Compared to several
accounts in excess of 5% for money in the bank.
Used to be the rate of return for investment in property was 3% - 4%,
which is far more attractive.
Still plenty of housing stock thats not private landlord in many
areas, though some people will turn their nose up at council or ex-
council stock.

Martin  <><