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…

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…

Good afternoon

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…

Hi Members

The House of Lords report concludes, amongst other things:

Currently, Universal Credit claimants must wait five weeks for their first payment. Claimants are given the option of an Advance Payment if they do not think they will be able to manage financially, but this is expected to…

Good morning

I recently received notification of a successful Universal Credit appeal outcome, in which the Judge referred to DWP’s muddled mishandling of the case, which had taken nearly two years to resolve. Having secured the desired result for both my tenant & landlord clients, I was anxious to conclude…

DWP’s “Touchbase” publication, dated 24th July, confirmed the introduction of a 2-week run-on payment, from 22nd July 2020 for those “Legacy” benefit claimants who “naturally” migrate to Universal Credit from JSA, ESA and Income Support. This payment is quite separate and in addition to the run-on of Housing Benefit, introduced…

Good morning

My “Untidy Tenancy” bulletin of late February 2020 explains how, when couples separate or tenants, permanently vacate; move into residential care; enter prison (long term) or die, any remaining partners, non-dependent sons, daughters etc. can either be treated as liable for the full rent or can assume…

Good afternoon

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…

Good morning

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…