I’m delighted to start the New Year with a piece of good news for those of you who make use of the Alternative Payment Scheme (APA) to secure redirection of the tenant’s “housing costs”. DWP...
It was announced in the Chancellor of Exchequer autumn budget that there would be some changes to the Welfare Reform.
Universal Credit replaces legacy payments with a single monthly payment – merging...
General information about DWP Christmas payments, Jobcentre Opening Times and Freephone numbers change.
Opening hours
Details of when DWP will be open and closed during the Christmas and New Year period:...
Philip Hammond the Chancellor of Exchequer has announced the summer budget today, detailing some changes in the controversial flagship benefit Universal Credit.
Some, but not all of the concerns that have...
Finally the DWP announce that they are launching an inquiry into whether Universal Credit (UC) is pushing claimants into rent arrears.
This was revealed by Caroline Dineage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary...
Two months ago I published a case study: Live Universal Credit horror case study
In short we were approached by a PRS Landlord, he had granted a Tenancy in March, the tenant was on Universal Credit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is refusing to disclose five reports regarding the controversial Universal Credit programme that were requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
To read...
Since the roll out of Universal Credit many flaws have been identified in the new Benefit.
We have heard of claimants experiences along with landlords all been effected by the new welfare reform.
Just...
Caridon Landlord Solutions expert team assist landlords with tenants on Housing Benefit and Universal Credit by proving ad hoc advice on various issues that the landlord may face during the tenancy cycle...
The DWP guidance states:
8. Support and Alternative Payment Arrangements
8.1 Alternative Payment Arrangements and managing rent arrears
If a tenant gets into difficulty paying their rent, the landlord...
With all the main focus on Universal Credit we almost forgot about the issues that we face with the well-established Housing Benefit administered by Local Government.
For most landlords after years of...
More and more over the last few weeks there have been articles discussing the Governments flag ship Universal credit system, this has been the most major shakeup in the Welfare Reform in 40 years. Currently...
Today we have taken on the following case:
In March the landlord granted a Tenancy to a tenant who informed him she was on Universal Credit. Unsure of the new scheme and not swayed by the bad press the...
Caridon Landlord Solutions are pleased to announce that we are partnering with Property118 to bring to our readers Welfare Reform Week.
Throughout this week we will be providing free online advice to landlord’s...
Hammersmith & Fulham have confirmed that they have just launched a discretionary licensing scheme. Nearly all privately rented properties in the borough need to be licensed.
They have released two...
Anyone who lives in a postcode listed below (of working age, with less than 3 children) will no longer be able to make a new claim to any of the existing benefits: Tax credits, Housing Benefit, Income...
The claimant and their landlord approached Caridon Landlord Solutions, seeking resolution to an on-going issue with the tenants Universal Credit claim, the tenant was not in receipt of any payments causing...
I have noticed that there are a few articles floating around the landlord community regarding a new landlord helpline for landlords that have tenants on Universal Credit.
In one article it states “The...
Newham council are the first Council to take the step to rate lettings agents using a star marking scheme from 0 (cause for concern) – 5 (no concern) the list will then be published on their website.
Caridon Landlord Solutions was set up with one purpose in mind; helping landlords secure solutions to any Housing Benefit (LHA) issues which might arise with local councils or DWP in relation to Universal...
Dear Colin,
This seems to be the common theme of late, either the online APA does not reach the case manager or is just not set up in time.
I hope you manage to get it sorted.
Please keep us updated!... Read More
When the online APA system launched I really thought that it would be a game changer and that that issues with APAs would be eliminated. However there are so many flaws in the complex UC system that to date have not been addressed. It is good to see that landlords are contacting local partnership managers and highlighting concerns as the fact of the matter is the system is not working as it should. There are still several delays in the APA being set up, poor communication between DWP staff and landlords, APAs been paid in error to tenant who are in arrears and no compensation offered to the landlord. The list goes on.... Read More
This seems to be a common theme of late.
Have you contacted DWP and applied for an APA managed payment to landlord for the rent to be paid directly.
Please feel free to call our offices if you need further assistance on 02037289937... Read More
Dear WP,
I would always suggest that you request an APA.
if your tenant does not fall into the set tier factors there is an option to input your own concerns.... Read More
Is your tenant on benefits or a low income? As many Local Authorities have now set up hardship funds for those affected by the impact of COVID -19.
In addition if your tenant has been in arrears consistently before the outbreak she can perhaps apply for a DHP via the local authority.
Hope this information has been helpful.... Read More
The Lords Select Committee is calling for evidence into the economics of Universal Credit.
The deadline for submissions is 29th February. I really would urge all landlords to comment. Please email me your views, experiences and effects that Universal Credit has on had on you as a landlord and how it has effected your tenants.... Read More
Thank you Robert for the mention.
As Robert stated UC will only pay the Housing Cost Element based on LHA, if the tenant is in 8 weeks or more rent arrears in his current accommodation (yours) they will pay third party deductions to the landlord, however if he moves out of your accommodation these payments will seize.
The tenant is required to notify DWP of any change in circumstances this includes moving home, once he moves he is required to log into his online journal and report the change. He then has to contact the Jobcentre to book an appointment to verify his change of address and provide his tenant agreement or a letter from his landlord detailing rent, date of move in and property address failing that no Housing Costs will be paid. For rent to be paid direct to the landlord (MPTL) and / or Third party deductions (TPD) the landlord is required to complete a Uc47 a form ca be downloaded on gov.uk. It is very important to remember that Universal Credit will only pay LHA Rate for the dwelling and will not exceed that and that the tenant was will only have £192.41 to live on.
Please feel free to contact our offices to discuss your case in detail.... Read More
If landlords are having issues in obtaining an APA we would advise that they make raise a Stage One Compliant directly to DWP Complaints Team, they can be emailed at L.E.CRT@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are still unhappy you can escalate your complaint to Stage Two
Correspondence@dwp.gov.uk
If all fails you can refer your case to an independent body such as Independent Case Examiner ICE
There are organisations such as Caridon Landlord Solutions and UC Advice (Bill Irvin) that have a wealth of experience in dealing with complaints of high value.
Please feel free to give a member of our team a call for free expert advice.... Read More
Hi WP
We would be happy to speak with you and offer free advice on selecting a client on UC.
We can also provide you with a free UC survival guide for landlords in managing UC and additional information.
Universal Credit is a more complex benefit then Housing Benefit.
Please feel free to give me a call i am happy to offer you free advice to enable you to make an informed decision.... Read More
Dear Reader,
Sorry to hear that you have given up on challenging DWP decisions, every landlord has a right to challenge a decision that they are not happy with. We may not always get the results that we want but it is important to continue to keep challenging the decisions so that DWP are made aware of there failings and hopefully make improvements.... Read More
17:03 PM, 28th October 2021, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 28/10/2021 - 07:48
Hi Mick,
As soon as I find out I will let every know!... Read More
20:03 PM, 8th February 2021, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Colin McNulty at 08/02/2021 - 14:20
Dear Colin,
This seems to be the common theme of late, either the online APA does not reach the case manager or is just not set up in time.
I hope you manage to get it sorted.
Please keep us updated!... Read More
19:28 PM, 8th February 2021, About 4 years ago
When the online APA system launched I really thought that it would be a game changer and that that issues with APAs would be eliminated. However there are so many flaws in the complex UC system that to date have not been addressed. It is good to see that landlords are contacting local partnership managers and highlighting concerns as the fact of the matter is the system is not working as it should. There are still several delays in the APA being set up, poor communication between DWP staff and landlords, APAs been paid in error to tenant who are in arrears and no compensation offered to the landlord. The list goes on.... Read More
16:00 PM, 25th January 2021, About 4 years ago
This seems to be a common theme of late.
Have you contacted DWP and applied for an APA managed payment to landlord for the rent to be paid directly.
Please feel free to call our offices if you need further assistance on 02037289937... Read More
16:11 PM, 14th May 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 14/05/2020 - 12:23
Dear WP,
I would always suggest that you request an APA.
if your tenant does not fall into the set tier factors there is an option to input your own concerns.... Read More
16:17 PM, 3rd April 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 03/04/2020 - 16:15
Thanks Mick for your kind words.
Hope you are keeping safe.... Read More
16:47 PM, 26th March 2020, About 5 years ago
Dear Barry,
Is your tenant on benefits or a low income? As many Local Authorities have now set up hardship funds for those affected by the impact of COVID -19.
In addition if your tenant has been in arrears consistently before the outbreak she can perhaps apply for a DHP via the local authority.
Hope this information has been helpful.... Read More
23:07 PM, 8th February 2020, About 5 years ago
The Lords Select Committee is calling for evidence into the economics of Universal Credit.
The deadline for submissions is 29th February. I really would urge all landlords to comment. Please email me your views, experiences and effects that Universal Credit has on had on you as a landlord and how it has effected your tenants.... Read More
22:34 PM, 10th January 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 10/01/2020 - 20:02
Dear Luke,
Have you tried to contact your Local Partnership manager?
I will post a list of all the regional service centres shorty.... Read More
1:13 AM, 28th December 2019, About 5 years ago
Thank you Robert for the mention.
As Robert stated UC will only pay the Housing Cost Element based on LHA, if the tenant is in 8 weeks or more rent arrears in his current accommodation (yours) they will pay third party deductions to the landlord, however if he moves out of your accommodation these payments will seize.
The tenant is required to notify DWP of any change in circumstances this includes moving home, once he moves he is required to log into his online journal and report the change. He then has to contact the Jobcentre to book an appointment to verify his change of address and provide his tenant agreement or a letter from his landlord detailing rent, date of move in and property address failing that no Housing Costs will be paid. For rent to be paid direct to the landlord (MPTL) and / or Third party deductions (TPD) the landlord is required to complete a Uc47 a form ca be downloaded on gov.uk. It is very important to remember that Universal Credit will only pay LHA Rate for the dwelling and will not exceed that and that the tenant was will only have £192.41 to live on.
Please feel free to contact our offices to discuss your case in detail.... Read More
13:24 PM, 7th November 2019, About 5 years ago
If landlords are having issues in obtaining an APA we would advise that they make raise a Stage One Compliant directly to DWP Complaints Team, they can be emailed at L.E.CRT@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are still unhappy you can escalate your complaint to Stage Two
Correspondence@dwp.gov.uk
If all fails you can refer your case to an independent body such as Independent Case Examiner ICE
There are organisations such as Caridon Landlord Solutions and UC Advice (Bill Irvin) that have a wealth of experience in dealing with complaints of high value.
Please feel free to give a member of our team a call for free expert advice.... Read More
16:50 PM, 24th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 19/10/2019 - 09:04
Thank you so much Mick.
Its great to feel appreciated!... Read More
21:03 PM, 15th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Dear Reluctant Landlord,
I will be posting a Universal Survival Guide for readers within the next few days which i hope will be useful.... Read More
23:45 PM, 12th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by WP at 12/10/2019 - 17:35
Hi WP
We would be happy to speak with you and offer free advice on selecting a client on UC.
We can also provide you with a free UC survival guide for landlords in managing UC and additional information.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!... Read More
14:33 PM, 4th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Robert Mellors at 04/10/2019 - 10:06
Universal Credit is a more complex benefit then Housing Benefit.
Please feel free to give me a call i am happy to offer you free advice to enable you to make an informed decision.... Read More
14:27 PM, 4th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 04/10/2019 - 11:37
Will do Mick.... Read More
14:19 PM, 4th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 03/10/2019 - 11:19
Well said Mick... Read More
14:19 PM, 4th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by at 03/10/2019 - 10:12
Dear Reader,
Sorry to hear that you have given up on challenging DWP decisions, every landlord has a right to challenge a decision that they are not happy with. We may not always get the results that we want but it is important to continue to keep challenging the decisions so that DWP are made aware of there failings and hopefully make improvements.... Read More
13:46 PM, 4th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Rennie at 03/10/2019 - 09:53
Dear Rennie,
Thank you for your kind words!... Read More
13:43 PM, 4th October 2019, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Dr Rosalind Beck at 03/10/2019 - 09:10
Dear Dr Rosalind Beck,
Thank you for your kind comments!... Read More