Universal-Credit-Guide-for-Private-Landlords - Manual / Resource - Page 10
Q. What if my tenant is already in arrears
with their rent or they are unlikely to pay
their rent to me?
In some circumstances an Alternative
Payment Arrangement can be made and
the Housing Element can be paid directly to
the Landlord. A request must be sent to
DWP, and the tenant will then discuss the
payment being paid direct to the
Landlord with their Work Coach. Full
information regarding Alternative Payment
Arrangements if your tenant is in arrears is
available on pages 13 to 16.
Q. What else can landlords do to help their
tenants manage their new UC payment and
prioritise paying their rent?
Highlighting the availability of Personal
Budgeting Support to your tenants who
claim UC will help them manage the change
to monthly payments, apply for advance
payments, Alternative Payment
Arrangements and Discretionary Housing
Payment. Please see page 19 for more
information.
In Lowestoft, some local landlords have
adapted their procedures to help tenants
manage the change to UC. We have created
a “Lessons learned and good practice”
page within this leaflet where a local
Landlord, who has had several tenants
move over to UC, has shared his
experiences. Please see page 22.
There are budgeting accounts and rent
processing accounts available via the Credit
Union that may help tenants with the
transition to managing a monthly budget.
Please visit www.rainbowsaver.co.uk/ for
Waveney area or Eastern Savings and
Loans for Suffolk Coastal area.
10
Universal Credit/Information for Landlords
April 2018
www.gov.uk/universal-credit
DWP service centre 0800 328 5644