Tenant in rent arrears and universal credit denied?

Tenant in rent arrears and universal credit denied?

0:01 AM, 11th October 2023, About 7 months ago 20

Text Size

Hello, this a case whereby I have served a section 8 to my tenant and at the same time tried to negotiate with Universal Credit if they could pay the tenant’s rent.

Unfortunately, I received an email from the Universal Credit team that the tenant does not qualify for Universal Credit and will not be discussing this issue and have closed it.

The tenant is in three months rent arrears. Please can anyone help on what I need to do next?

Thanks,

Madelynne


Share This Article


Comments

Shinh

7:57 AM, 11th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Try Discretionary Housing Payment via the council, tenant needs to apply via their www site

Lynn

10:08 AM, 11th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Shinh at 11/10/2023 - 07:57
Hi Shinh

I started with Discretionary who advised they confirm the tenant is not on any benefits with them and should check with Universal credit
At the time of serving s8 as I delayed hoping to settle the issue with UC she was owed over £6K. She is a housewife and not employed and also states how they are struggling with finance so aware she is claiming one of the benefits. This will be reviewed on-court income and expenditure as they will need to complete one within the 14 days period

I will once again check with the council as have declined to respond to my email.

Thanks for your support Shinh

NewYorkie

10:22 AM, 11th October 2023, About 7 months ago

I approached the council and DWP about having his housing benefit paid to me [4 months arrears at the time], and they said he wasn't receiving anything. I opened the letter box after finally evicting him, to find letters from DWP concerning his housing benefit payments!

Michael Booth

8:32 AM, 12th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Pointless talking to councils they use data protection laws to get rid of you, if you have conclusive proof of non payment and is in arrears of the statutory period section 8, let the tenant know the problem they will have getting another property due to this order and the council are not obliged legally to house you , this normally does the trick.if this doent work proceed with process they will have to learn the hard way.

Lynn

11:20 AM, 12th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Michael Booth at 12/10/2023 - 08:32
Thanks Michael.
Tenants normally never suffer getting a property as I have had so many go but pay as private and working then soon after going to council. At the time of eviction, they will have accumulated enough from the landlord to pay for the deposit and the first month. This will all have been claimed using the landlord's property and paid by universal credit/council benefits!

Landlords will never win as we are used by tenants using landlord property to make claims. No support as though your property you have no right to it when they are sitting in waiting till bailiffs evict them having any law to support us. Going to court takes so long and still accumulating which is hard to recover. Debt collectors I have used even the sheriffs find it hard to get any from this debtor as are council benefits claimants!

Lynn

11:22 AM, 12th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 11/10/2023 - 10:22
Wonder if you could refer that to DWP but again you can be accused of open a letter which is not yours!

Happy housing

12:28 PM, 12th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Lynn at 12/10/2023 - 11:20
So the tenant was not claiming UC payments? In a similar situation.

Lynn

13:24 PM, 12th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Happy housing at 12/10/2023 - 12:28
Tenant must have been claiming and can decide not to disclose to the landlord.

I had a case in April who I was evicted by s8 She kept denying that she was on any benefits until I got her court expenditure form disclosing her UC payment. Evicted with arrears of £8,450 and as she is a qualified nurse, I tried to refer this to her professional body on dishonest on public funds but her professional body dismissed it as should be referred to the fraud team. did refer to the fraud team and now trying to engage a debt collector.
I completed the UC to DWP but unfortunately, DWP declined to backdate and stated as she no longer lives on my property, they are unable to act on my claim/

Property rental is a game business and a gamble with most landlords going through this difficult process. I have had a very bad experience so far. Dealing with these untrustworthy Tenants is depressing. Just about to say bye to this game!

Happy housing

13:35 PM, 12th October 2023, About 7 months ago

So when you took on the tenant I pursume they were not claiming anything?

NewYorkie

15:46 PM, 12th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Happy housing at 12/10/2023 - 13:35
My tenant was a self-employed painter, and always in work. Produced accounts and bank statements. No mention of benefits. As soon as he was in, his rent payment became sporadic. My agent at the time even helped him! When lockdown hit, he simply stopped paying, saying I could get a mortgage holiday, so he didn't need to pay. I was very ill with covid at the time, and my job disappeared, so I decided to retire. By the time I felt suitably recovered, he was 3 months in arrears. My agent chased him but he didn't engage. My agent doorstepped him, and he showed her an accountants letter confirming he was getting a large tax rebate which would clear his arrears. He was also getting the. Self-employment covid grant whilst continuing to work. He was getting a significant income, while I was getting nothing and paying everything. 2 months later and still no payment. I wrote to him setting out what is likely to happen if he is evicted, but still no reaction. Just before the 6 months, he paid a month's rent, believing it would re-start the clock. I served the S8 at 6 months, by which time he'd been arrested for downloading child porn using a neighbour's Wi-Fi! I won't go into detail about drink and drugs parties during lockdown!

1 2

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now