Hello,

I am currently looking for a rental property in Sheffield. Myself and my partner have recently relocated to Sheffield from Brighton (I'm originally from Sheffield) and obvioulsy are now looking to secure accomodation.
We have only been back in Sheffield for a week and are currently staying with family (total nightmare!) as such we are both looking for jobs. Getting a job should be no problem for either of us, we have both worked continously since school but with the type of work we're in it might take up to a month to actually be in employment due to long application dates, interview dates and references etc. I am looking for temp work in the mean time but we are currently having to claim JSA in the short term. We would be entitled to Housing Benefit but my question is are any landlords prepared to accept this is the meantime due to our circumstances?
We are a young couple in our late twenties, clean, tidy and hardworking and able to come up with a bond etc. We have rented whilst in Brighton but this was from my partners father so I guess this isnt as reassuring to landlords as a private reference would be.
I'd be willing to try and pay a little extra than the bond as security but as we're currently on JSa we couldnt get too much cash together as security. I really cant see this situation lasting more than 6 weeks max, I can supply all previous employment refs but obvioulsy nothing for right now, only my word that I absolutley haet claiming benefit and want nothing more than to get back to work! :(
Any comments would be gratefully recived and any landlords who are willing to take a chance on a short term Housing Benefit tennant, please get in touch :)
If it would be of any reassuranec to a landlord I would be happy to sign a 6 week tenancy thats states if employment has not been secured in this time the tenacy would end, I really am very sure of my ability to get a job, I'm just not sure my patience with living at home will last that long!
Thanks ever so much in advance

Well, I dont have a property to rent currently Im afraid but your best bet is to check all of the post office windows in the areas you want to rent in (what area do you want to rent in actually?!)
Quite a few adverts say no DSS (sadly) but there are always a few folks willing to take the chance. From past experience in renting properties out, DSS is usually MORE reliable than a cash tenant once the direct debit is arranged... Its just getting to that point that takes 6 weeks or so if I recall correctly.

Good Luck anyway

Thanks for your advice, we're ideally wanting something on the south side of sheffield, S7/S8/S11/S17/S18 and surrounding areas, hopefully we'll find someone willing to take a chance, I should imagine by the end of the 6 week processing at Housing Benefit I'd be paying the rent myself as I'd be working lol.
I'll keep my eyes peeled and thanks agian for your help! :)

Go to the local council offices tomorrow, Im sure they now have a private landlord registration scheme and some of these may accept benefits.

Do you know about the new local housing allowance now that calculates the money you will get from the government towards your rent?
Check out Sheffield Council website and that will tell you the maximum rent you will get, from the information given if you are a couple then it might be:-
1 Bedroom accommodation - £91.15 per week or £394.98, this is irrespective of what area of Sheffield you live in.

Also as per other post, local shops are possibly an idea to look in for the areas you want to move to.

Good luck!

Thanks for all that advice, I'll definately try the council and also check out the website. Thanks again :)