Guidance

June 2018: Universal Credit landlord engagement newsletter

Updated 1 April 2020

We regularly update our information for landlords, read the up-to-date version of the Universal Credit & Rented Sector Housing Guide and use the latest UC47 form to request payment of rent from tenant’s Universal credit.

1. General updates

1.1 Universal Credit announcements

On 7 June 2018, The Secretary of State reaffirmed the government’s commitment in a written statement that customers who are moved onto Universal Credit by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from other benefits, will have their existing benefit entitlement safeguarded until their circumstances change.

The Secretary of State also announced changes to ensure that Universal Credit supports people into work, protects vulnerable customers and is targeted at those who need it.

These changes will further support customers currently in receipt of Severe Disability Premium (SDP), those who were previously entitled to SDP before moving to Universal Credit, customers with childcare costs, and irregular wage payments.

1.2 Applying for a managed payment to landlord

If you’re a private landlord or a social landlord that doesn’t have a secure email address and you are applying for a Managed Payment to Landlord (MPTL) due to rent arrears you will need to complete the non–secure UC47.

If you are applying for a MPTL due to a tier one or tier two factor only, you will need to complete the secure version of the UC47 form and explain your reasons in the additional information box.

The secure version of the UC47 can be found by selecting ‘yes’ to the question on GOV.UK ‘Does your email address contain any of the following? Once you have put in your tenant’s postcode’ you must then post the completed form to us if you do not have a secure email address.

We are looking to develop a more streamlined online process for landlords requesting a managed payment to landlord APA via GOV.UK.

This will improve the current process, enabling the secure capture of information and doing away with the need for the different versions of the UC47 forms.

User testing will be taking place with landlords to inform the design. Security will be at the heart of this new process, so as to securely capture the reason for the APA and the landlord bank details. We will keep you updated in future newsletters as this work develops.

Find out more about Direct Payments.

1.3 Universal Credit and landlords’ guidance

The Universal Credit and landlords guidance has been updated to reflect the changes to temporary accommodation that were introduced from 11 April 2018.

1.4 Universal Credit statistics

Universal Credit statistics are published on GOV.UK. The latest UC experimental statistics cover numbers of claims made, starts and people on Universal Credit to 10 May 2018.

1.5 Moving claimants to Universal Credit from other working age benefits

A consultation by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) on moving claimants to Universal Credit from other working age benefits has been published.

Read the SSAC consultation on moving claimants to Universal Credit from other working age benefits.

1.6 Universal Credit – further information for couples

The overview of what Universal Credit means for couples who make a joint claim, including who can make a joint claim and what they will be expected to do in return has been updated on GOV.UK.

1.7 Work Allowance rate changes

Information about changes to the Universal Credit work allowances has been updated.

The work allowance rates changed for the new financial year from £192 to £198 and from £397 to £409. Further changes include updated information about Universal Credit taper rates.

Find out more about Universal Credit work allowances.

1.8 DWP partnership team changes

How to contact DWP partnership teams for England, Scotland and Wales.

The contact for Wales has been updated. Changed ‘London and Home Counties’ to ‘London and Essex’ and ‘East Midlands’ to ‘East and Central Midlands’, as per the new geographical areas for Universal Credit.

Find out more about DWP partnerships.

1.9 Guidance for current creditors or suppliers

Guidance for current creditors or suppliers, for example, utility suppliers and landlords, on how the deductions from benefit scheme works.

The deductions from benefit scheme form has been revised on GOV.UK – ‘Form to amend customer reference numbers’ (ePRS03).

Go to the revised deductions from benefit scheme – form ePRs03.

For further information select:

• revised contact centre information has also be included throughout the handbook
• how the deductions from benefit scheme works: guidance for creditors or suppliers

1.10 Housing costs for 18 to 21 year olds

The government announced it will be amending regulations so that all 18 to 21 year olds will become entitled to claim support for housing costs in Universal Credit.

Currently, 18 to 21 year olds who make a new claim to Universal Credit in Universal Credit full service areas need to meet certain requirements in order to receive housing support.

This change means that young people on benefits will be assured that if they secure a tenancy, they will have support towards their housing costs.

We plan to make these changes as soon as practicable and are working to build them into the legislative timetable alongside the Universal Credit operating system.

Find out more about housing support for young people.

1.11 Benefit and pension rates for 2018 to 2019

The proposed benefit rates and pension rates for 2018 to 2019 has been published on GOV.UK as set out in the written ministerial statement made by the Minister for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance

Find out more about benefit and pension rates.

1.12 Universal Support

Universal Credit claimants can get help to make a claim and manage their payments of Universal Credit. This help is called Universal Support.

Find out more about Universal Support.

1.13 Landlord events

We have been delivering presentations about Universal Credit at landlord events across the UK. The purpose of the presentations is to support landlords by increasing their knowledge of Universal Credit full service and what it means for their staff and tenants. All events to date have been extremely well received and have generated a great deal of useful discussion. Delegate numbers have ranged from 35 to 75 at each event.

1.14 External engagement events with landlords:

Social rented sector landlords

We have delivered presentations at 17 events so far, with a further 3 to do. A breakdown of these is as follows:

• Housing Quality Network – 6 events attended with 1 more to do
• National Housing Federation – 6 events attended, with 1 more to do
• Chartered Institute of Housing – 1 event attended
• Northern Housing Consortium – 1 event attended
• Richmond Housing Association – 1 event attended
• Hough Bellis – 2 events attended
• Six Towns Housing – to do

Private rented sector landlords

We have delivered presentations at 4 events so far with a further 6 to do. A breakdown of these is as follows:

• Residential Landlords Association – 3 events attended, with 4 more to do
• Eastern Landlord Association – 1 event attended
• National Landlords Association – 2 events to do

We are also now in discussions with Association of Residential Letting Agents to deliver events to their members.

For more information landlords need to make contact with their respective trade bodies if they would like to attend one of these events.

1.15 Touchbase news

The May edition of Touchbase has been published on GOV.UK. Touchbase contains DWP news about work, working age benefits, pensions and services.

Subscribe to Touchbase.

2. Information for social rented sector landlords

2.1 Universal Credit local authority bulletins

Information for all local authority staff about Universal Credit has been published on GOV.UK The Universal Credit bulletins provide local authority staff with updates on developments with Universal Credit and Universal Support.

These bulletins will be issued as and when needed and are designed to mirror the style of Housing Benefit circulars and bulletins DWP uses to communicate with local authorities.

Read the Universal Credit local authority bulletins 2018.

2.2 Transition to Universal Credit housing payment frequently asked questions

Transition to Universal Credit housing payments frequently asked questions has been published. This document is mainly aimed at local authorities and has been shared with local authorities as part of the recent Housing Benefit general information bulletin (G5/2018) on GOV.UK.

Housing Benefit general information bulletins.

2.3 Landlord portal

As of May 2018 we have successfully enrolled 265 landlords onto the trusted partner and landlord portal.

We will continue to enrol landlords where possible with Universal Credit roll out and also look to enrol landlords who have already moved onto full service. We update the list of landlords who are live on the portal on the House of Commons website.

List of landlords who are enrolled on the trusted partner and landlord portal.

2.4 Funding for supported housing

An interim response has been published to the consultations seeking views on the government’s proposals for a flexible funding approach for the supported housing sector.

Read the interim response – funding for supported housing – 2 consultations.

3. Future Universal Credit landlord newsletters

We hope you have found this newsletter useful. If there is anything you would like to see in future editions of this newsletter, please let your strategic landlord representative know.

If you do not have a strategic landlord representative, email: uc.strategiclandlordengagement@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

3.1 Setting up email alerts on GOV.UK

Email alerts are a good way to receive information that has been updated on GOV.UK for updates about Universal Credit.

To sign up for email alerts go to the bottom of any GOV.UK page, and click on publications on the bottom right. On the next page, down the left hand side you can select the appropriate filters to identify what you want to receive updates about – then select email and complete email details.

This will ensure you receive future versions of this newsletter when published.