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0 points6d0debc07112y ago0 comments

> They are trying to cap it, to howls of outrage but from whom? Not the tenants, they never see the money.

Universal Credit will cause tenants to be paid their housing benefit directly.

http://www.housing.org.uk/policy/welfare-reform/universal-cr...

There are a number of different approaches to addressing the extra risk this will introduce to rents, with things like Jam-Jar accounts, but it's generally expected to introduce more insecurity and thus limit the amount that can be spent on new housing.

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DanBC12y ago· 2 in thread

> Universal Credit will cause tenants to be paid their housing benefit directly.

Housing benefit gets paid directly to the tenants. Many years ago you could ask for it to go direct to the landlord, but organised gangs set up claims in the names of dead people.

6d0debc071OP12y ago

The gov is looking at changing how housing benefit is paid, from directly to the landlord to directly to the tenants, they've been running the pilot schemes for it quite recently in fact. You can find loads of reports on the things with a quick search, some from quite reputable sources.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21756567

I suppose it's possible you and I are talking about different kinds of tenancy, but I don't think that the numerous news stories on this can just be hand-waved away either.

DanBC12y ago

> Bron Afon community housing

> Southwark Council

> Minister Steve Webb said: "We currently pay housing benefit directly to one million people in the private sector and that works pretty well.

> "We are trying to treat people in council houses the same way, but we want to get it right."

That change is for people living in council housing or housing association properties.

It hasn't been possible to get HB for a regular property paid direct to the landlord for many years.

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