Good morning The Scottish Government and CIH Scotland have just published a brief report focused on the very real threat posed by central government’s proposals to cap Housing Benefit and/or the “housing element” of Universal Credit to LHA rates from April 2019. Amongst other things, it suggests 21,000 young Scots…

Good morning The Scottish Government just yesterday announced how its variations to the national UC payment arrangements would operate. The new arrangement, which affect both social & private tenants, became effective from 4th October 2017; can immediately affect “NEW” claims, but only where the claimant lives in an area where…

Good morning In recent weeks, DWP has been trying to defend Universal Credit’s widely recognised structural and administrative flaws, which Social & Private Landlord organisations maintain are causing tenant hardship and significant hikes in rent arrears, due mainly, to: The 7 day waiting period, which applies to some claimants, before…

The Universal Credit (Housing Costs Element aged 18-21) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 – SI 2017/252 – which can be found here were introduced on 2nd March, 2017 and come into effect from 1st April, 2017. Regulations remove automatic entitlement to housing costs in Universal Credit “Full Service” areas for some 18 to…

Good afternoon Shelter Scotland has just published a report Evictions by Social Landlords in Scotland 2012-16 which, amongst other things, confirms there has been an increase in SRS sector evictions (Councils & Housing Associations) and points to the fact, the majority of recovery actions are being pursued, in response to rent…

Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform, announced at yesterday’s Chartered Institute of Housing conference, (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/direct-payments-system) the Government was anxious to work in collaboration with Social Landlords to protect tenants from the vagaries of rent arrears and safeguard Landlords’ cash-flows. He said, ‘The key to making direct payments work will be…

Good morning, Most private landlords, accommodating LHA tenants, will be well aware of the fact the rates applicable to LHA tenants have been frozen at 2015 levels for a period of 4 years. The freeze was applied following George Osborne’s Summer Budget of 2015. At the time, the Government made…

Good morning, One of the most common questions I’m asked, as I travel GB, presenting UC seminars, is: “From what date should our tenants’ eligibility to Universal Credit begin?” In answer to the question, I would draw your attention to many of DWP publications, which, in my opinion, give the…

Good afternoon As I’m sure you’re aware, we are fast approaching the 31st March 2017 deadline set by the DWP to report any April, 2017 rent increases, applicable to tenants of yours, living in areas designated “LIVE” for Universal Credit purposes. Ordinarily the obligation to report any change in circumstances,…

Good morning When DWP first introduced Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs) it said their purpose was to help tenants with budgeting issues sustain tenancies and protect landlords from any unnecessary rental loss. So, you would think, when a Landlord informed them via their UC 47 pro-forma, one of its tenants has…