Minister for housing and homelessness Heather Wheeler is planning to meet with industry representatives in a bid to end the practice.

She and other minsters will meet with mortgage providers, landlord associations, tenant groups, and property websites to clamp down on blanket exclusions in adverts – with a view to stopping them altogether.

Out of 4.5 million households living in private rental accommodation, 889,000 receive housing benefit to help pay their rent.

However, the latest figures show around half of landlords have said they would not be willing to let to tenants on Housing Benefit – ruling out thousands of vulnerable people and families.

The announcement came on the same day that NatWest confirmed it was removing all restrictions on landlords renting to tenants who are in receipt of housing benefits.

Support for homelessness

Wheeler also confirmed more than £19.5m will be shared among 54 projects across England to help thousands of people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to secure their own home.

Councils will use the funding boost to help vulnerable people secure their own tenancy through support such as, paying deposits or putting down the first months’ rent.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said this would give them an opportunity to make a home in a property they may otherwise not have been able to access.

This funding forms part of the £100m ‘Rough Sleeping Strategy’.

Working with landlords

Wheeler said: “This funding will make a huge difference in opening up the private rented sector to people who need it and give them the chance to rebuild their lives.

“I will also be meeting key stakeholders to tackle the practice of ‘No DSS’, to underline the need for immediate change.

Minister for family support, housing and child maintenance Justin Tomlinson added: “Everyone should have the same opportunity when looking for a home, regardless of whether they are in receipt of benefits.”

He noted that landlords can already receive rent from tenants on housing benefit and Universal Credit – meaning payments can be paid directly into their accounts.

“This helps strengthen the choices and opportunities available for those on benefits to secure the homes they and their families need,” he said.