Benefit Claimants Rent Arrears
2021-03-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
No specific background provided.
How many and what proportion of benefit claimants are in rent arrears. The National Residential Landlords Association and housing charities have shown that rent arrears are growing rapidly, and it will be difficult to repay them. What action will the government take to ensure rent arrears are eliminated and further assistance is provided to people who genuinely cannot afford to pay their rent?
We do not collect information about individuals' rent accounts. For universal credit claimants with rent arrears, alternative payment arrangements and support with budgeting are available. Managed payment to a landlord is an option where universal credit claimants are unable to manage monthly payments and are at risk of financial harm. The tenant, landlord or work coach can request this managed payment through our online tool. UC also enables recovery of rent when a tenancy reaches two months' rent arrears.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to eliminate rent arrears and provide further assistance were not fully addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Rent arrears are growing and it is difficult for benefit claimants to repay them. There is a need for further assistance.
The evidence shows that rent arrears are growing very fast such that they will probably never be repaid. What action will my hon. Friend take to ensure that rent arrears are eliminated and further assistance is provided to people who genuinely cannot afford to pay their rent?
Managed payment to a landlord is available where universal credit claimants are unable to manage monthly payments and are at risk of financial harm. This can be requested by the tenant, landlord or work coach. Our online tool makes it easier for landlords to request managed payments. UC also enables recovery of rent when a tenancy reaches two months' rent arrears.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to eliminate rent arrears and provide further assistance were not fully addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
More than half of the 1.3 million universal credit households claiming housing support for properties in the private rented sector have a shortfall between rent charged and help available. This number has increased by a quarter of a million since the start of the pandemic.
Of the 1.3 million universal credit households who are claiming housing support for their properties in the private rented sector, more than half face a shortfall between the rent being charged and the help available. With housing support cut again in the Budget, will the Minister answer this one question? Will that number have gone up or fallen during the remainder of 2021?
We increased local housing allowance rates in April 2020, lifting rates to the 30th percentile, giving an average increase of £600 more housing support per year than would otherwise have been received. For 2021-22, all LHA rates will be maintained at the increased level. Discretionary housing payments worth nearly £140 million are available next year.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific trend of the number of households with shortfalls during 2021 was not addressed.
Response accuracy