Universal-Credit-Guide-for-Private-Landlords - Manual / Resource - Page 13
I'm worried my tenant
won’t pay their rent they have rent arrears
Q. What happens if a tenant gets into
arrears or has rent arrears when they claim
UC?
The DWP expects landlords to follow their
usual rent collection practices. However, if
the claimant is unable or unwilling to
resolve a payment issue that puts them at
risk of eviction, the DWP can assist
landlords by considering if a managed
payment to the landlord (Alternative
Payment Arrangement (APA’S)) is
appropriate. There is a useful guide on
APA’s available online. Visit GOV.uk and
look for Alternative Payment Arrangements.
When arrears reach the equivalent of one
months rent, the DWP will review the
situation following notification from the
claimant or the landlord. At this point the
DWP can offer the claimant budgeting
support and may decide to pay the rent
directly to the landlord.
When arrears reach an equivalent of
two months’ rent the landlord (or the
claimant) can ask the DWP to consider if an
APA would be an appropriate course of
action, and with evidence of the rent
arrears an APA can be put in place.
Landlords need to complete and return a
‘landlord request for a managed payment/
rent arrears form’ available on the DWP
website. We have created a guide to
requesting an APA on page 15.
13
Universal Credit/Information for Landlords
April 2018
If your enquiry is urgent, you can contact
the local Landlord Single Point of Contact,
sometimes called a Landlord Liaison
Officer, at the Jobcentre– contact details on
page 27.
These measures are intended to help avoid
the build-up of excess levels of rent arrears
and reduce the risk for landlords.
Q. Can any claimants have their rent paid
directly to their landlord from the start of
their claim?
When a claim for UC is made it will be
decided if a claimant needs support with
budgeting. This may include putting in place
an APA where significant support needs are
identified. In these cases DWP staff will
consider information from tenants and
landlords before making a decision, at this
stage they will also talk to the claimant
about whether they consent to the APA
being put in place. We have created a guide
on requesting APA’s which includes how to
notify DWP of concerns regarding rent
arrears and other issues that mean a
tenant is unlikely to pay rent, this will help
the DWP consider whether an APA is
appropriate. Please see page 15.
Q. Is there anything else I can do to help
reduce the risk of rent arrears?
Please see our “lessons learned and good
practice” information on page 22, we have
asked a local landlord who has had several
tenants move over to UC to share his
experience and offer any useful advice and
tips to other landlords.
www.gov.uk/universal-credit
DWP service centre 0800 328 5644