Universal credits - does anyone know their stuff?!

[TheBrilloPad]

I live in an area that new applicants must apply for universal credits (not housing benefits/tax credits etc).

My husband moved out two months ago and I needed to apply for benefits to help bridge the gap between my income and my rent/childcare.

We have been living in this property for 4years, so both our names are on our original tenancy agreement from 4 years ago. Husband has now moved out and is renting elsewhere with his name on another tenancy.

Universal credits will only contribute towards 50% if the rent, as there are two people on the tenancy. I don't want to tell my landlord husband has moved out and I am receiving benefits, as at the time we moved in, they clearly stated "no housing benefits allowed", so I am worried they will evict me and my young kids.

The initial advisor I met with said it was fine, that as my bank statements show I solely pay the full rent, it doesn't matter than ExH's name remains on the tenancy.

But now they have backtracked and said I need to provide them with a new tenancy naming only me if I want to receive the full allowance towards my housing costs.

Does anyone know if this is all correct? Is this my only way out? I'm so scared the landlord will serve me an eviction notice if they find out I'm needing benefits.

It may not be landlords fault. I rent a property out and my mortgage company say i cannot rent to anyone on benefits.

I honestly would be pissed off if my tenants lied to me and put me at risk like that with my bank, and you are risking him giving you a poor reference for future renting.

You could be putting their asset at risk, a lot of insurance companies don't cover HB tenants. You need to be honest with your LL.

It sounds right that you have to be the sole tennant to claim the full amount as a joint tenancy is the financial responsibility of two people.

UC will only pay half unless your ex name is removed. They will not bend on that.

This will come down to whether you can be understood as liable for the full payment, even with a joint tenancy. I will need to double check in some reference books on Monday but I would be surprised if there wasn't an exemption. You can challenge any benefit decision you don't agree with, it's just whether there's a viable argument.

If that is the case, the difficulty will be paying the rent while you have the fight. You may wish to try and negotiate with the landlord. If you can prove that you can make the full payments once it's sorted, then they already know that you're a reliable tenant.