Landlord's information

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Information for landlords and letting agents

Details of claims will be checked periodically by the Benefits office. Find out about periodic checking of claimant's details. This means that payment of benefit should not end unless we are advised of, or find out about, a change in circumstances. It is the claimant's responsibility to inform the Benefits office of any changes in their circumstances. Landlords also have a responsibility to inform the Benefits office of any changes they know will affect their tenant's benefits, for example a change of address. You can tell us about a change of circumstances by phoning, writing or emailing us at landlords@brighton-hove.gov.uk

If you are a landlord and need to speak to the Benefits Service, please use the Benefits landlord Information line on: 01273 296647.

Use the following links for more information:

• Direct Payments to landlords
• information fact sheet for landlords
• VOA Rent Officers (formerly the Rent Service)

Payments to Landlords
If you would like your payments made into a Bank or Building Society account, please complete and return our Change of payment form.

Payment schedules
If you would like your schedule of payments sent to an email address, please email: landlords@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call our Landlord line: (01273) 296647.

Please note the Council pays landlords directly in four weekly cycles.

Direct Payments to landlords

The council can pay landlords, if the tenant is:

1. vulnerable and can't manage their financial affairs
2. unlikely to pay their rent and have got into arrears before
3. in rent arrears of eight weeks or more (the 8 week arrears period takes into account an advance payment, if this is part of the tenancy agreement)

The council's Vulnerability Policy and Procedure tells you how we make a decision to pay the landlord where someone is vulnerable.  You will need to complete a Direct Payments Application Form, and give us supporting evidence about your needs so we can decide whether to pay the landlord.

Arrears

If the tenant is in arrears we need evidence of the amount to pay the landlord. Please send us a completed copy of the arrears form found here.

There are many reasons why someone cannot manage their money and paying the landlord may only be a short term arrangement.  There are a number of local advice agencies who may be able to offer support. 

Direct payments to landlord from April 2011

Where a Landlord charges a rent at an affordable level (usually the Local Housing Allowance rate), where there is no requirement for a Discretionary Housing Payment, the Council will consider direct payment of Housing Benefit to that Landlord.

Please remember that tenants have the right to revert HB payments to themselves. Any request by the tenant will be considered by the Council and the Landlord will be notified in advance if direct payment changes. Tenants will be advised that if they fail to pay their rent and then asked to be placed in accommodation by the Council, they may be considered as “intentionally homeless”.

This guidance will operate from April 2011 until the introduction of Universal Credit, or the DWP changes their guidance about direct payments.

This guidance relates to tenants claiming Housing Benefit in the private rented sector, who are not covered by the Safeguarding (vulnerability) policy.

Lettings Agents & Landlord forums

The Benefits Service attends Landlord forums in Brighton & Hove when invited, to update on new benefits legislation, current workloads and answer general questions on the Housing Benefit service.

 

VOA Rent Officers (formerly the Rent Service)

The VOA (Valuation Office Agency) Rent Officers work within the private rented sector in England, providing valuation services for local authorities, landlords and tenants.

The main function of  the VOA Rent Officers is to set LHA rates using market evidence gathered from the area and information submitted by landlords and letting agents.

Submit market evidence data to the VOA Rent Officers

For more information on what the VOA Rent Officers do, go to the VOA Rent Officers website.