Housing Benefit information for landlords

Tenants on a low income can claim Housing Benefit to help pay their rent. Payments can go directly to your tenant or to you as the landlord.

Housing Benefit is usually paid directly to tenants. However, we can pay you if:

• your tenant has rent arrears of eight weeks or more.
• your tenant is considered vulnerable and may struggle to manage their finances or pay rent

If your tenant owes eight weeks of rent or more, we will usually pay their Housing Benefit directly to you.

Request a landlord payment

You will need to provide proof of arrears, such as a rent statement.

Vulnerable tenants

We may pay Housing Benefit directly to you if your tenant:

• faces severe debt or bankruptcy
• has difficulty opening a bank account
• receives help with bills from the department for work and pensions
• gets support through services like supporting people or homeless charities
• experiences issues like learning difficulties, bereavement, illness, addiction, or domestic violence
• is leaving care, prison, or homelessness

Either you or your tenant can request direct payments. We will need:

• a completed direct payment to landlord form
• evidence, such as a support worker’s letter, showing why they might struggle to pay rent

Request a landlord payment

Your responsibilities

If Housing Benefit is paid directly to you, you must inform us of any changes that could affect payments. This includes:

• the tenant moving out or passing away
• changes to the household or rent details
• updates to your personal or banking information

Appeals

As a landlord, you can appeal if we decide to:

• stop or start making direct payments to you
• recover overpaid housing benefit from you

Find out more about appealing a Housing benefit decision.