Hi A helpful background piece, from the HOC library, covering the often controversial topic of claiming Housing Benefit or Universal Credit “housing costs” when the tenant is closely related to their landlord….

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Good morning Renting to a “close family” member & claiming Housing Benefit Two of my most read website articles, concern tenancies involving “family” members, where the tenants claimed Housing Benefit; were wrongly refused; and with my assistance, successfully appealed the Council’s decision. The fact is, it’s neither illegal nor immoral…

Good morning In an earlier bulletin, I highlighted the Court of Appeal ruling which found in favour of 4 single mothers, who were supported by CPAG. The case revolved around the way in which the ladies’ monthly salaries were being treated under Universal Credit rules, sometimes leaving them with a…

Good morning Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his “Spending Review” in the House of Commons yesterday. The news, as I’m sure you anticipated, is not good on a number of fronts, some of which could adversely impact on tenants and your organisation, as the economy struggles to recover and Government debt…

Good afternoon Numbers of Universal Credit claimants have doubled, since the March lockdown. Of those new claimants, a disproportionate percentage  fall into the 16-24 age group. Many of these young people, no longer live at home and are forced to take on responsibility for rooms in HMOs or share property,…

Hi Just when we thought we were seeing a semblance of normality returning to our work environment, storm clouds return, in the form of more regional restrictions, combined with a failing economy, that, if the forecasters are right, could create a 10% unemployment rate, with the possibility of another 2-4…

Good morning It’s great to receive feedback from clients, especially when it confirms how its staff have been using material in our regular bulletins to assist tenants overcome problems with Universal Credit and DWP’s administration. In earlier bulletins I’ve referred to the all too regular issue that arises when couples split,…

Good morning Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced, last week, a new “Jobs Support Scheme” (JSS) as a replacement to the current Job Retention scheme (JRS), introduced in March 2020, which is due to end on 31st October. He also confirmed the extension of the Self-employed Income Support Scheme until April 2021.…

Good afternoon 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. This rule mimics what happens under Housing Benefit. Whereas someone 35+ qualifies for…

Good afternoon 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…