Universal credit and rent

[Puglife1234]

Hi I am writing for a family member who is just swapping over to universal credit.
how does their rent get paid in this situation . Is it direct to the land lord

No - in most situations the rent element (which may not be the whole of the rent especially if private renting) is paid to the claimant who has to budget appropriately to make sure the rent gets paid every month.

You can choose. I think if your relative would prefer for the rent to be paid directly they would need to enquire and then check to see if they have a short fall to pay.

You can request that it is sent straight to the landlord. Mine was a council house so they contacted UC and had it sorted for me.

The scenarios where rent is paid direct to the landlord are more limited now. The aim is to replicate the situation of directors ie monthly payments of benefit and paying the rent out of income.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/when_universal_credit_can_be_paid_direct_to_a_landlord

I've not long moved over and I wasn't asked, they just pay it straight to the landlord.