Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance and Universal Credit
Related Article
The Housing Costs Element of Universal Credit
Universal Credit includes: an amount in respect of any liability of a claimant to make payments in respect of the accommodation they occupy as their home. Several parts must all be satisfied to be entitled to the housing costs element. Payments must be rent payments. Liability to make those payments must be on a commercial basis The tenant must be treated as having a liability to make those payments; and The tenant must be treated as occupying the accommodation as their home Rent payments and owner-occupier payments For a claimant to be entitled to the housing costs element, the payments in respect of the home must be “rent payments” or “owner-occupier payments”.
Homelessness - Section 21 Notices and Localism Act 2011
Some local authorities refuse to treat a person as homeless until a court order has been obtained after serving a section 21 notice.
Council Gave Wrong Advice on the LHA
The London Borough of Newham gave wrong advice to a woman about local housing allowance (LHA), leaving her with rent arrears.
Housing Benefit: Victory for Landlords in Rent Arrears Case
Discover the significant victory for landlords in England and Wales regarding rent arrears and direct payments of housing benefit or Universal Credit from local authorities.
When MUST Housing Benefit Paid to Landlord?
This article does not apply to Universal Credit. This article explains when housing benefits must be paid to a landlord directly. See also Doncaster v Coventry City Council 2009.
What Is the LHA Rate for My Area?
The rent service has provided a useful site called lha-direct, where you can search any area's local housing allowance rate.
8 Weeks Arrears, No Set Off Allowed for Repairs
where housing benefit is concerned, eight weeks of arrears refers to the contractual liability of rent and should not include any set-off.
Payment to Landlord even if not 8 weeks arrears
The Department of Work and Pensions guidance to local authorities states that a local authority should "consider" direct payment, even if the tenant is not in eight weeks' arrears
Related Forms
Notice to Local Authority Tenant 8 Weeks in Arrears
for payment to be made directly under regulation 95 Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, the landlord must notify the local authority that the tenant is in 8 weeks of arrears
Permission to Discuss Housing Benefit Claim with Local Authority
this template form can be completed, signed by the tenant and sent to the local authority and provides permission to discuss the claim with them.
Template Letter for Landlords Seeking Tenant Housing Benefit Info
Landlords have a right to know about housing benefit payments. Use our customisable template to contact local authorities & get the info you need.
Regulation 96 (Discretionary) Request for Direct HB Payment
When a tenant is receiving Housing Benefit and in arrears with their rent, it's possible to request direct payment even before they are 8 weeks or more in arrears. Such payment is discretionary
Judicial Review Pre Action Refusal to Supply Housing Benefit Payments
Often, all a landlord wishes to know is if payment has been made to the tenant or not. It is not commonly known, but in most cases, a landlord has an absolute right to know if any payments of money have been made to the tenant.
Complaint - Refusal to Supply Housing Benefit Payments
When a landlord has a tenant claiming housing benefits, it can be frustrating when the local authority refuses to speak to the landlord about the claim.
Permission to Speak with Universal Credit or Housing Benefit
A consent form accompanying a tenancy agreement or be provided during a tenancy, asking the tenant for permission to speak with Universal Credit or a Housing Benefit department about their claim.
Request for Direct Payment Two Months Arrears Universal Credit (UC47)
Under Universal Credit guidance it is allowed for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to make direct payment of the housing element of Universal Credit in certain situations