Universal Credit – Do I really need a new AST?

Universal Credit – Do I really need a new AST?

14:36 PM, 11th July 2016, About 8 years ago 34

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I’m looking for advice from my fellow Housing Benefit accepting landlords.contract new

As more tenants are beginning to migrate to Universal Credit (UC) I am finding that I am being asked by the tenant (after being told by DWP) for an up to date/new tenancy agreement in order for their UC claim to be processed.

Previously I have let this go as the individuals were long standing clients looking for top-ups firstly by HB and subsequently via UC.

However the latest client could be politely termed ‘at risk/vulnerable’ (weed/alcohol) but of course does not see herself within this category. Currently her HB is paid direct to me. I am reluctant to issue a new tenancy agreement putting me at risk for the next 6 months whilst the DWP happily put £400 a month into her account. And they will not consider a Managed Payment direct to me until she is 2 months in arrears. The only other option is to get the tenant to provide documentary evidence that they are ‘at risk’ – difficult when they don’t agree.

As I see it, my tenancy agreements are standard ASTs and therefore are periodic rolling tenancies once the initial 6 months is up. Why do I need to issue a new one?

Has anyone experienced this before? Should I just provide an up to date rent statement showing rent due and frequency and a covering letter stating why I will not issue a new tenancy?

(As an aside I’ve found it is very important to obtain National Insurance numbers from tenants if you want to deal with the DWP.)

Thanks,

Dave.


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Comments

Mark Crampton Smith

14:09 PM, 1st August 2016, About 8 years ago

We have not been able to recommend landlords accept tenants in receipt of benefit for some time now. The Reading office who determine the local housing allowance send us emails every year asking us to confirm rental values, then fail to put the levels up. In Oxford UC is not here yet, but the City are so desperate that they are offering a range of incentives to LLs to offer accommodation to those in receipt of benefit including cash deposits, rent in advance to cover the gap whilst claims are being processed, and tenant training and support....... Also things like free gas certificates and compliance checks.
We should not forget, that any-one deemed to have made themselves intentionally homeless, is ineligible for housing support. If I was cynical, I might be excused for considering the whole UC machine, a giant "intentionally homeless" trap?

Mick Roberts

15:52 PM, 1st August 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Crampton Smith" at "01/08/2016 - 14:09":

Brilliant words, you've just about summed it up.
If I was cynical, I might be excused for considering the whole UC machine, a giant “intentionally homeless” trap?

I have a LOT of HB tenants, have specialized in them for 19 years & even I am thinking of leaving the benefit market.
And I was one of the few choices they had in Nottm that they was so grateful that someone would take HB.

MoodyMolls

19:45 PM, 3rd August 2016, About 8 years ago

Hundreds of landlords’ applications for Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs) under Universal Credit are being deleted by the Department for Work & Pensions. (DWP)

Universal Credit expert Bill Irvine said he has been contacted by hundreds of members complaining the DWP is refusing to deal with their applications claiming they ‘could not open attachments’ and as a result is entitled to delete them.

The department says the applications in question have either been sent to the ‘wrong’ email address or have been rejected as they included supporting evidence documents which should not have been attached.

The members affected were those operating in Universal Credit “live” areas, using the non-secure email system set up by the DWP itself.

Mr Irvine said: “In December I advised members of the DWP’s new e-mail facility.

“Designed to replace the original procedure, which required paper applications for APAs, sent by post to the Mail Opening Unit (MOU) in Wolverhampton, the electronic option was welcomed by social and private landlords alike – and until a month ago everything seemed to be working reasonably well.

“However, in recent weeks, I have had an influx of member e-mails, which all referred to APAs being rejected; why, was not so clear.

“The email seemed to be directed at those landlords (social & private) using the non-secure e-mail facility which represent the majority of users.”

The DWP said the non-secure system can only be used to make the initial APA application and that members who have had applications rejected are those who have attached the “Secure UC47” or supporting documents such as rent statements or letters claiming tenant vulnerability.

It has told members with non-secure email, they must make their applications using the non-secure version of the UC47 form – which does not include space for sensitive data. In addition, any supporting documents MUST be submitted by post.

A DWP spokesperson said: “If we get the wrong version of the form, we are technically not allowed to accept it. It will be rejected, and they (social and private landlords) will be told to send it by post – security colleagues are insisting on this at the moment”.

Mr Irvine has advised landlords to include personal information, like National Insurance numbers and dates of birth as he is extremely worried the DWP will struggle to match up the electronic application forms sent by e-mail with documents being sent through the post.

He said: “I have very real concerns about the DWP’s capacity to marry up the electronic UC47 application with supporting documentation – rent statements, vulnerability letters etc sent by post.

“I would advise Including National Insurance numbers and dates of birth, if you’ve got them, as this will greatly increase your chances of success. If you don’t follow this advice, more than likely, the APA application will NOT be processed, creating the likelihood of lost rental income.

“The DWP seems to be creating yet another stage in an already complex and lengthy process, which will ultimately delay payments and see landlords lose out on rents.”

Bill Irvine is an RLA trainer and Universal Credit expert. If you require any further information on this or any other aspect of Universal Credit or welfare reform contact bill@ucadvice.co.uk

MoodyMolls

10:30 AM, 4th August 2016, About 8 years ago

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2012

http://anotherangryvoice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/lord-freud-risks-corpses-and-slums.html
Another quote demonstrates Freud's true priorities in forcing through "Universal Credit". He reassured the crowd of rentiers that:

"I am not expecting landlords to suffer sudden loss of income as a result of Universal Credit"

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