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Written question asked by Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 6 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 July 2026. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.


Universal Credit: Housing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has plans to introduce a mechanism enabling landlords to recover unpaid rent where Universal Credit housing costs have been paid to claimants but not passed on to the landlord.

Answer

Such a mechanism is already in place. If a customer has a rent arrears of two months or more, for the accommodation they are currently occupying, a landlord may request a deduction from the customer’s Universal Credit.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
16352
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Costs Housing Landlords Payments Private rented housing Universal credit Rents
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk