Universal-Credit-Guide-for-Private-Landlords - Manual / Resource - Page 9
Paying Rent
Q. What can landlords do to ensure their
rent is paid?
Tenants are expected, where possible, to
arrange their own rent payments as they
would if they were in full-time work.
Landlords should think about how this will
fit with their own payment calendars. If
landlords have previously received a direct
rent payment from the local authority, they
need to speak to their
tenants and agree
arrangements for
collecting rent.
Q. If payments are made monthly, how will
tenants pay their rent while they are waiting
for their first payment of UC?
Many new claimants of UC will be coming
from work and so it is considered they will
be able to support themselves in the first
month using their final payment of
earnings.
However, a tenant can ask for a Universal
Credit New Claim Advance if they are in
financial need and cannot manage until
their first monthly payment of UC. A UC New
Claim Advance is for people who need
9
Universal Credit/Information for Landlords
April 2018
money whilst they wait for their first
payment of UC (normally a wait of around
five weeks). To be eligible for a New Claim
Advance people must:
have made a claim for UC and the
DWP believes that the claim is likely to
be successful,
be considered by the DWP to be able
to repay the advance within 12
months
show they are in financial need
To apply for a New Claim Advance, a claim
can be as soon as the initial online claim is
made. Claimants can apply at the same
time as their initial interview at the
Jobcentre, or by putting a request on their
journal or contacting the UC Service Centre
on 0800 328 5644.
If the tenant is worried about managing
whilst they wait for their first payment of
UC, they can receive Personal Budgeting
Support. This is available via Citizens
Advice and is tailored advice that can help
them prepare for UC and help them
investigate ways to manage whilst they wait
for their first payment. Citizens Advice can
help the claimant apply for a New Claim
Advance, or Alternative Payment
Arrangements. Further information is
available on page 19, If you would like to
raise awareness of the support available,
we have created a handy leaflet. The leaflet
is contained within this pack on page 29,
alternatively we can supply you with a PDF
of this leaflet– please email
BenefitsLiaison.EastSuffolk@angliarevenue
s.gov.uk
Continued ...
www.gov.uk/universal-credit
DWP service centre 0800 328 5644