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Under Universal Credit rules, the rate of “housing costs” for someone, single, and under the age of 35, is normally restricted to the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) when they are accommodated in Private Rented Sector accommodation. Whereas someone 35+ qualifies for the 1-bedroom rate, even if they share the…

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DWP continues to prevaricate on demands by SRS landlords, that it must act on notifications of ‘changes of circumstances’ that affect their tenants’ UC entitlement, and, in particular, their “housing costs element. Hard to believe, but we’re now 7 years and change into DWP’s administration of the Government’s…

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In recent bulletins, I’ve alluded to the fact, numbers of UC claimants have doubled, in a matter of weeks, to around 5.6 million, UK wide. This, and the fact, more than 50% of DWP’s staff are still working remotely, has contributed to delays in processing claims, responses to…

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Yesterday, Saturday 27th June, I received notification of a First-tier Tribunal outcome, to an appeal lodged more than 1 year ago. What’s so unusual about this is, I had no knowledge, neither did my client, the case was being considered, under new temporary rules, created by the COVID…

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A London based landlord client asked me to assist two of his joint tenants challenge an adverse Housing Benefit decision, explained below:

Council’s view – “You are currently registered as non-dependant under your brother, Mr Sandilands’s active claim for Housing Benefit.  According to the rules you are not…

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The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed DWP’s appeal against a previous High Court ruling which had found in favour of 4 single mothers, supported by CPAG. The case revolved around the way in which the ladies monthly salaries were treated under Universal Credit rules, sometimes leaving them with…

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Since UC was introduced, one of the biggest sources of frustration of social landlords’ staff is, DWP’s unwillingness to converse freely about tenants’ claims by phone, e-mail, or letter. In contrast, SRS staff, plus landlords in the private sector, enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with Council HB teams,…

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Mick Roberts is a Nottingham based landlord, heavily invested in providing accommodation to benefit dependant tenants. Prior to the introduction of Universal Credit, he had become accustomed to dealing with 5 local councils. Within the council Housing Benefit sections he could email or phone named contacts and expect…

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Neil Couling, DWP’s most senior director, announced yesterday, the launch of the online Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) scheme, the link to which can be found here

As I’ve mentioned before, the online system was being tested by a number of my PRS clients, in various parts of…

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Perhaps unsurprisingly, two of the most common questions I’m asked by PRS landlords and agents are:

How can I secure the “housing costs element” (HCE) of Universal Credit direct to me; and Does the tenant have to provide their consent before DWP will act on my request?

To…