Much faster new DWP system for direct Universal Credit payments to Landlords
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has now launched a new online system to allow rent payments, from tenants in receipt of Universal Credit, to be paid directly to Private Rented Sector (PRS) landlords. The new system for arranging these Alternative Payment Arrangements replaces the two existing UC47 forms cutting the processing time down from in excess of three weeks to just two hours in some cases.
Sherrelle Collman Managing Director of Caridon Landlord Solutions, part of Caridon Group, which worked alongside DWP to pilot the new system from October 2018, comments:
“This is excellent news for landlords and tenants, as well as all those new claimants who have recently been forced to sign up to Universal Credit due to Covid-19. For those struggling to manage their finances, it provides a much simpler route for tenants and landlords to request that the housing element of Universal Credit is paid directly to their landlord.
The old paper forms, which required landlords to fill out, scan and email or post back, were not only time consuming but also took weeks process, sometimes getting lost along the way with rent arrears simultaneously mounting up. Given how stretched DWP’s resources are as a result of the pandemic, it is fantastic that they have managed to launch this important improvement to the system which will help those struggling to manage their finances.”
Caridon Landlord Solutions, which provides specialist advice on Universal Credit and Housing Benefit to private landlords, letting agencies and housing associations says they will be working to help landlords and tenants to use the new system as quickly as possible.
Please see >> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-alternative-payment-arrangements
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Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
10:56 AM, 14th May 2020, About 6 years ago
Well done Sherrelle for publicising this.
Still keep pushing ’em to give us email contact as we still can’t tell anyone at UC when anything is wrong.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
11:05 AM, 14th May 2020, About 6 years ago
Hopefully a much better and quicker system 🙂
My questions is – can I ask for an APA even if the tenant does not have ‘issue’s’ that would warrant asking for one? I would prefer ALL DWP payments to be made direct to me to stop the situation of rent arrears accruing (especially in the current climate). Will my request be rejected even though it is a preventative measure which ultimately benefits the tenant as I would have no reason to evict other than rent arrears?
Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3453 - Articles: 286
12:18 PM, 14th May 2020, About 6 years ago
Sherrelle has also asked me to add the following link to assist
>> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-alternative-payment-arrangements
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
12:23 PM, 14th May 2020, About 6 years ago
WP,
Just do it.
Set your tenancies up 2 months in front.
I think was ruled on years ago by Judge against HB & tenancies in advance were classed as arrears if not paid.
I know it’s contentious.
And UC DWP will take different stance & fight it, but they too busy adding 2+2 together at moment to work ote else out.
U not lying, you want 2 months in front & they ain’t paid, so they now in arrears.
As u said your words below sum it up exactly. And my words are ‘What is the WORST that can happen if u pay the Landlord direct? Oh I see, I get paid, tenant doesn’t come homeless’.
even though it is a preventative measure which ultimately benefits the tenant as I would have no reason to evict other than rent arrears?
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
3:06 PM, 14th May 2020, About 6 years ago
There’s a couple of threads on 118 at the moment talking about UC & UC47 and arrears & tenants not paying & Coronavirus etc., so I’ll put this on both threads.
Very good video on here Bill Irvine talking about APA’s & getting direct payment when tenants aren’t handing their UC ‘rent’ etc.
And Benefit cap & rent increases to the new 1 April 2020 LHA UC HB Benefit Housing Element HE rates, which could massively help some Landlords & tenants.
And the complaints process which isn’t working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKYfEBYDX8o&feature=youtu.be
And the recent rules on securing direct payment of the UC ‘rent’, APA
https://universalcreditadvice.com/articles/how-can-prs-landlords-letting-agents-secure-direct-payments-of-universal-credit/
Member Since January 2017 - Comments: 146 - Articles: 97
4:11 PM, 14th May 2020, About 6 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.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3248 - Articles: 81
10:23 AM, 16th May 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by CARIDON LANDLORD SOLUTIONS at 14/05/2020 – 16:11
Brilliant then Sherrelle,
On this new link then, can ANYONE request an APA even if no arrears & you just put your concerns down?
And then I suppose we left at the mercy of the DWP person who han’t got a clue about how well we know the tenant.