UC Housing Element - not used on housing

[itonlyhappensonce]

Hi

I let a friend stay and they got me to draft a rental agreement so they could claim the housing element.

Their story is constantly changing about payment dates and I believe they have been getting the money and not giving it to me.

I have now made them leave.

I am assuming I'll never get the money now. Is there any point contacting UC about it?

Are you wanting your money, or wanting to get your friend in trouble?

The former, you go through small claims. The latter you phone UC.

Uc will absolutely not be interested that your' tenant' didn't pay your rent.

If two or more months in arrears then you can apply via- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-landlord-request-for-a-managed-payment-or-rent-arrears-deduction for rent arrears and for the housing payment to be paid to you.

Rent arrears can only be taken from their UC if they still live in the property, I’m guessing they won’t report they have moved out.

I want the money. I'm a single parent. I lost my single person discount for council tax, as they were out of work my gas and electric and water went up a lot. I'm into my overdraft and can't afford to heat the house. So even a couple of hundred quid would have really helped. I was expecting it to come through but would have told them to go sooner so my costs reduced if I knew they would do this.

So they lived with you rent and bill free

Your bills went up as lost 25% ct discount

They got paid some housing costs via uc

Ans paid you nothing

Not much of a friend

Usually I would never grass someone up but they are not a friend and you gained extra costs so quite within your rights to

You could contact friend and ask for payment and if they say no you can say contacting uc to tell them and see what happens

Could you live with yourself /guilt (tho their fault) if they got sent to prison

I don't think UC would do much. But I am wondering if UC might make a note and then if and when they next claim they could not pay the housing element to ex friend and it would stop someone else losing out like I have.

They have left some stuff here and I am not in a hurry to let them have it back.

You should tell UC the dates they moved in and out and that they didn’t actually pass the money over. It’s possible you could get it paid and worth a try.

If they don’t tell UC now that they have moved out they might continue claiming rent using your address.

Yes you def need to let uc know they don't live with you

Where are they now living

You need your single 25% taken off again asap

I would contact uc and explain that they have moved out and they didn’t pass over the uc. You won’t get any money back unfortunately but it will at least stop any ongoing fraud.