Housing Benefit

[sn]

So...tennant has split up with boyfriend...now single mum in my flat etc etc

She has applied for housing benefit, I completed a landlord declaration and as the landlord, I thought I'd give the council a phone to confirm that they had received her application/that she was actually applying/that everything was ticking along nicely.

"We cannot discuss that with you, you should ask your tennant"

How helpful, any advice?

[propertyfag]

Ahhh I've been in this position. The council are USELESS! They basically can't give away any information about the tenant because it will break the Data Protection Act. It's a joke for Landlords that are in your position.

You basically have to wait until your tenant informs you of the progress.

Back in the day, landlords used to get payments direct and you'd be informed by a letter. But the laws have changed since, and tenants receive the payments direct. It's done this way so those on HB learn to be responsible for their own money. Sure that sounds good in theory, but in reality, it's a disaster for Landlords.

Out of curiosity, when is her rent due? Has she fallen in arrears, and do you think she'll be able to make next months rent?

[sn]

thanks, she has told me she has asked the council to pay me directly as she has admitted she would just spend the money. So its almost reassuring that she appears to have thought this through and knows that their is a option for the landlord to be paid direction.

Still I'd feel more comfortable if the council had acknowledged things or asked for my bank details. Rent due last day of the month, expected it to be late, but will remind her next week to chase the council. She won't be able to pay unless she gets her HB. Yes, currently in arrears paid half a months rent and other half due this weekend. Maybe I'm too nice?

I'm going to try and remain patient, hopefully once (if) her housing allowance is set up and paid direct to me things will run smoothly....yes, I've read the DSS articles on here

[propertyfag]

Ahhh ok, at least she's getting it arranged so you receive the payments direct. In that case, you should get forms through, asking for details of your bank account.

It usually takes a few weeks for everything to be arranged.

You'll get paid every 30days- it all starts to get confusing

[sn]

thanks, i'll let you know how it goes, if only to allow me to vent!

30 days...wtf lol

[propertyfag]

Yup, 30 days! It's gets EXTREMELY confusing. They don't pay PCM (per calender month), they pay EVERY 30 days. It can get really complicated, trust me.

If I were you, I would keep a log book of when you receive payments!

Good luck!

And please let us know how you get on. I'm sure loads of people get put into the same situiation. Once you let us know how it works out, i'll write about it on the main site, so others will be informed :0

Many thanks!

[Jools]

You could write a letter for her to sign authorising the HB people to speak to you on her behalf!

Jools

[corkish2003]

I`ve had similar problems with the council, they wont disclose anything,but the tenent can inform the council that the he/she is giving you the right to dicuss her claim with them.Well it worked for me

[Keefie]

Toward the rear of a HB form you'll find a tick box and declaration that can be signed by the applicant giving the council authority to discuss. Indeed, previous posts have pointed out, a signed letter will suffice. As for the four weekly payment cycle, I changed my tenant's rent to four weekly. This means thirteen payments over one year as opposed to twelve, thus I know exactly when she receives her payments.