Housing benefit

Information you as a landlord can get regarding your tenant from the housing benefit department

Landlords who are affected by decisions Council's make are recognized as having rights under the Housing Benefit regulations and are entitled to certain information. A landlord can request the information given below:

• A council who is seeking to recover an overpayment from your tenant. Councils can tell you the amount, period and reasons for any over payment being recovered.
• If the Housing Benefit is being paid directly to you the council can tell you the amount, weekly benefit rate and period covered by payments sent directly to you, and the date direct payments stop.
• You have requested direct payments and the council have refused. the council can tell you why they will not pay you direct.

         With the tenants permission the council can to tell you:

• Whether your tenant has made a claim and if so, whether the council have made a decision on that claim.
• If the council need further information to make a decision about your tenant's claim, then they can tell you what they need to make a decision on any award.

           Direct payment cases

Where benefit is paid directly to you, the council can sometimes provide further information about a claim, but only if the council have the tenant's permission to do so. The tenant can give the council permission to disclose information by writing.

           Direct payments of Housing Benefit

Housing benefit can usually be paid straight to a landlord in the following instances:

• If your tenant requests or agrees to it.
• If your tenant is 8 weeks or more in arrears.
• Or the council thinks it is in the best interests of your tenant to do so.
• Note that if your tenant has excess of 8 weeks rent arrears then you do not need to complete the consent form.

If you are already receiving direct payments by cheque and want to change your payment method, Then you should write and give the council your bank account details. Your tenants signature will not be required in these circumstances.

Thinking of taking court action against your tenant for rent arrears?

Contact the council first before you take court action against your tenant for rent arrears, the council can check that there are no outstanding benefit issues. The council may prioritize urgent cases if there is a risk of eviction or loss of accommodation, which may result in faster processing under the fast track scheme.

The council can "fast track" all new housing benefit claims and process them within two working days, if they have all the necessary information and there is a risk of eviction.

Your feedback is always welcome, so if you have any comments then please email: admin@landlordadvice.co.uk

[Home] [About] [Contact Us] [Links]