Please be aware that due to The Data Protection and Social Security Acts, this means that we cannot automatically give information about Housing Benefit claims to landlords. If you are "an affected person" where the payment of Housing Benefit is currently being paid to you, then we can provided limited information about the benefit claim and entitlement but not the claimant's personal details.
1. Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs?
From December 2017, tenants who are working-age, and making a new claim for assistance with their rent, are required to apply for assistance via Universal Credit, which is administered by The Department for Work & Pensions. Tenants who have been receiving Housing Benefit continuously prior to December 2017 and have not moved into the district, will continue to receive Housing Benefit via the Council . The Department for Work & Pensions are currently migrating these existing claimants from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit. You may want to discuss with your tenant whether they have been asked to migrate.
I regret that the Council is unable to provide you with any information relating to a Universal Credit claim or entitlement.
2. My tenant is receiving Housing Benefit - how will it be worked out?
For existing claimants receiving Housing Benefit who live in privately rented accommodation the maximum benefit your tenant could get since 7 April 2008 is calculated under the Local Housing Allowance scheme. Claimants in receipt of continuous Housing Benefit prior to 7 April 2008 will have their rent referred to the Rent Service. This will then be done on an annual basis unless they move address or stop claiming Housing Benefit for at least a week.
The Rent Service will notify the Benefits office of the maximum rent that can be covered by Housing Benefit after comparing rents of similar properties in the area; this includes comparing rents with properties in adjoining neighbourhoods.
The Rent Service will also consider the size of the property and the needs of the claimant and his or her family. If the property is considered too large, the Rent Service will also compare rents of smaller properties that would better suit the needs of the claimant and his or her family. If the rent is considered too high or the property too large, the rent officer will advise the local authority that they must pay Housing Benefit based on a lower rent than the landlord is charging.
3. How will Housing Benefit be paid?
Housing Benefit is paid by BACS directly into a bank or building society account. Payments are usually made directly to the claimant unless they are unable to manage their financial affairs or they are 8 weeks or more in arrears with their rent and you, as landlord, contact the Benefit Team and provide evidence of this, in order to claim payments direct.
4. How often will Housing Benefit be paid?
The Housing Benefit must be paid in arrears, and payment will be made every four weeks. This means that there will be 13 payments per year even if the rent is due monthly.
5. How soon will payments be made once a claim for Housing Benefit has been made?
We aim to pay Housing Benefit within 14 days of receiving all the information required to be able to determine the claim.
6. What should I do if my tenant is in rent arrears?
If your tenant is in receipt of Housing Benefit which is payable directly to them and they are more than eight weeks in arrears, you should contact the Benefit Team as soon as possible. If your tenant is receiving Universal Credit including the housing element, then you will need to contact The Department for Work & Pensions direct.
If you are receiving payments of Housing Benefit for your tenants, you have a duty to tell us straight away if you find out about any change in his or her circumstances that may affect their Benefit.
Further Information
For further information, please contact the Benefits and Revenues Department:
