Landlords / Estate agents advice / point of view?

btw: I should have added 'Best of luck'.

No need to declare you get housing benefit (I never have) just make sure you have the month in advance and the deposit for the accommodation saved up. This then gives you a month to get your rebate sorted and make sure it is paid directly to you and pay your landlord in what ever way has been arranged.

Sure, that is fine but you probably have a good rental history so landlords would not need to enquire too deeply. Without that the landlord would want some plausible idea of where the rent was coming from and that it was affordable. If the housing benefit is paid to the tenant then, you are right, there is no NEED to declare it - but it would probably be beneficial to do so. Landlords (and particularly agents) live in the real world and are not going to be put of by baseless prejudice. They are more likely to be put off if something does not seem to add up.

I just see it as none of their business, all you need I have found is a good reference from your bank manager (helps I have found if you know your branch manager personally, so that's a good reason to keep those appointments they offer to assess you status)
So many rentals say no DSS, and that is very unfair in my books. Believe it or not it was my current landlords factor/law firm that told me how to get around the system as they don't like the prejudice people on low income suffer. They insisted I did it that way and not have the DSS involved with them or pay them, as it makes me the same as every other tenant on their books.

Yes, I agree that the 'No DSS' is unfair and I have no such prejudice. However, I am not allowed to let to anyone where the payment is made by the DSS.
Your method is fine, I as a landlord may well know you are doing that and be happy, but I would be meeting my obligation to my lenders if the money I receive is from you.

What is my business as a landlord is to satisfy myself that the tenant has a reasonable chance of affording the property and that I am not going to need to get into repossession procedure for default (this can be very expensive). Agents deal with prospective tenants every day and they are not easily fooled. If you try to pull the wool over their eyes then there is a good chance you will get nowhere. If you are open and are able to afford the property then they would be mad to reject you.
If someone tries to hide their real situation you can 'smell' that there is something wrong. Not knowing what it is will make me back off quickly but, if I know, then I can make a value judgement based on the facts.

I was not suggesting they cover it up, more that their is no point in mentioning it if not asked and more so not to be put off applying for a house that says no dss as if you are paying not the dss what does it matter where they money comes from?
Interesting point about not been allowed to let to anyone where the payment is made by the DSS, and i guess this maybe the problem for many, but I also think that many don't know their is other ways for people to pay them who receive DSS

No argument with that