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Written question asked by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Independent (affiliation)) on Thursday, 24 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 October 2019 (named day). It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 October 2019 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Private Rented Housing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of permitting the direct payment of housing costs to landlords prior to eight weeks of arrears being built up, by giving all tenants the option at the outset of their claim of having their housing costs paid directly to their landlord.

Answer

Universal Credit payments are deliberately designed to mirror the world of work, where people take responsibility for budgeting their own income in order to be financially independent. In turn, this helps those not already working to prepare for moving back into employment. For claimants needing additional advice and support with personal budgeting, help is available from work coaches and case managers.

Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs), such as a managed payment to landlord (MPTL), are available to enable the housing costs element to be paid directly to the landlord if the tenant is likely to have difficulty in managing their rent payments, or is in rent arrears. They can be requested by a claimant at any point during their claim. APAs will only be considered where a lack of financial capability poses a risk to the claimant, or their family, and the decision to implement one is assessed on a case by case basis.

Staff work closely with claimants and are trained to gauge a claimant’s financial needs at their initial interview, and throughout their claim, based on their personal circumstances.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
4926
Session
2019-19
Subjects
Costs Arrears Landlords Payments Private rented housing Tenants
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk