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Original poster

Universal credit....

37 replies

Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:25

So we have been on universal credit for 4 months now and I have seen that they are going to start paying direct to the landlord. Does anyone know if this is a must or is this just an option... my landlord will probably try to evict us if he knows we now have universal credit as our circumstances have changed. Rent is always paid on time though

OP posts:
Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:36

Bump

OP posts:
cinemalover · 20/01/2019 08:42

Unfortunately some landlords do not accept housing benefit as it can be unreliable/changing circumstances etc.

Not sure if he'd evict you purely because of it though if you'd been paying rent on time previously.

Yes it has to be paid straight to landlord as far as I know to stop stupid people spending it.

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:43

This so so wrong surely they should give the option. Loads of landlords don't accept it. Bigger so now what am I supposed to do

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
cinemalover · 20/01/2019 08:46

@Universalcreditwoes I would speak to your landlord outright and be honest, they're more likely to accept it that way.

The thing with universal credit housing payments is that it unfortunately does show the landlord you don't have the reliable income to afford rent.😕

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:49

Well he will want us out then. He is not reasonable all. The estate agents are just as bad. He check our house himself every 4 months and the estate agents every 3 months. But there's no where else available in our village to move and I don't want to move kids schools as I will probably end up with them all in different schools with no car. Before we moved in we were fine financially but circumstances changed. We were told before no benefits but that wasn't a problem then. We have been here for 4 years now

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Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:49

Thanks for the link. But it's out if date it's from 2012.

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hmmwhatatodo · 20/01/2019 08:50

Hi op, where did you hear this? I just had a look in the shelter website and it still says you can request it to be paid to the landlord but nothing about this changing to HAVE to pay to landlord. It was updated a few days ago.

kaytee87 · 20/01/2019 08:50

Where have you seen that they're going to start paying it directly to the landlord? Have you spoken to anyone at the job centre about this?

donajimena · 20/01/2019 08:52

I just looked on Shelter too. It doesn't appear to be compulsory. This thread invoked a slight panic in me.

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:52

I read online, can't remember where. That universal credit is to be paid to the landlord soon. But I don't know if that's for all claims or new claims or only if requested. I know they do at the moment if there are arrears. Everything just seems so misguided they bring out a new rule but don't actually explain all the ins and outs

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combatbarbie · 20/01/2019 08:54

I would like to think he should be fine as he will be getting the money and you've been reliable for 4yrs, shouldn't matter where it's coming from.

Is he also from the village....if he is and does try to evict I'd start making loud noises....nobody likes a dick!

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:54

Sorry Sonaj. I didn't want to PA if you but I am having a panic and can't find the answer to my question online. I don't really want to ask our job centre otherwise they will change stuff around. Last time I changed our bank details to be told it didn't work. Had to go in 4 times to be told it still didn't work and I might not get the payment. It then went to the new bank account anyway and made me panic for 3 weeks unnecessarily. They are crap

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cinemalover · 20/01/2019 08:54

@Universalcreditwoes ah sorry!
Didn't realise. I'm sure the same reasons apply anyway.

That's a shame you'll have to move, anyway of you getting a job anytime soon (if you don't already have one?)

They sound like a nightmare to rent with, the constant inspections would have driven me to more away years ago. I've only met our landlord once😂

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:55

He doesn't live in the village. He lives ages away. But travels to see his family and then says he has to check the house too. Had no issues but he obviously doesn't trust us as with the estate agents and him we have 7 checks a year!

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hmmwhatatodo · 20/01/2019 08:56

Op, i imagine you have read it on a forum like this where someone has misunderstood. Lots of people will also probably read this thread and stsrt to panic too! I havent read or heard about this new rule and as i say, no news about it on the shelter website or any other website. It will only be an option for people with issues like debt management and so on. I think they are listed on shelter, and even then it appears to be optional.

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:56

We both work. It's not as simple as just moving. Where do we get a new deposit from?

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cinemalover · 20/01/2019 08:56

@combatbarbie ring UC first thing Monday morning, or put a note on your journal now to be answered.

This looks helpful?
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housingadvice/benefits/howwtochangeethewayyuniversalcredittis_paid

Itstimetoscream · 20/01/2019 08:56

You do realise that the reason why most landlords don't except housing benefit/universal credit as it makes their insurance void if not declared?

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:57

Thanks hmmm. Made me feel better. Didn't want to cause panic. It wasn't a forum it was a news article but it was very vague about the ins and outs of it

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Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 08:57

Its time. I know that. But where are people supposed to live.... there is no where available right now and I can't get another deposit.

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cinemalover · 20/01/2019 08:59

@Universalcreditwoes I feel for you, literally everywhere I've looked (we want to find an upgrade to our current flat) has said no benefits. We're not on benefits but I've noticed it so much! Our problem is 'No Pets' Grin

Original poster
Universalcreditwoes · 20/01/2019 09:00

Thanks cinema. Hopefully we are fine the way we are

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Itstimetoscream · 20/01/2019 09:01

Just be careful if it ever did come out and he would have grounds to evict you.

hmmwhatatodo · 20/01/2019 09:01

Op, there is no change, you arent struggling to pay your rent. Dont go calling UC asking about it. Just put it out of your mind!

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