Tell your landlord you’re claiming Universal Credit
Don’t rely on the Universal Credit centre or your work coach to tell your landlord you’re claiming Universal Credit.
Contact your landlord to check they know.
If you’re living in social housing there might be help available from tenancy support or income officers to manage the move to Universal Credit.
They can help you work out the best way to pay your rent on time.
Speak to your tenancy support officer or income officer if you need help managing your rent.
If you’re getting Housing Benefit now
Your Housing Benefit will eventually stop when you claim Universal Credit. However, it will continue to be paid for two weeks after you claim Universal Credit but before you receive your first Universal Credit payment.
The extra two weeks of Housing Benefit will not affect how much Universal Credit you get, and it will be paid automatically: you don’t have to contact the DWP or your council to get it.
Usually the two weeks’ extra Housing Benefit will be paid to your landlord but if you’re claiming Universal Credit because you’ve changed address it will be paid directly to you.
You should still check with your local council that they know you are now claiming Universal Credit and that your Housing Benefit claim is stopping.
If you don’t check, your Housing Benefit may continue and you risk being overpaid.
Contact your local council to make sure they know about your Universal Credit claim.
Changing your rent date
When you know the date your Universal Credit goes into your bank account, you might be able to change your rent date so that you can pay it just after you get paid.
Some social landlords offer ‘Any date’ rent arrangements, which makes changing easier.
If you can’t change your rent date
You could set up a separate bank account that you can pay your rent money into when you get your UC payment or wages each month.
This will protect your rent money. You can then set up a Direct Debit or standing order to make sure that the rent is paid on time to your landlord.
Contact your tenancy support officer or income officer and ask if they offer an ‘Any Date’ rent arrangement if you want to switch your rent date.
Documents you’ll need when you talk to your landlord
- tenancy agreement
- rent statement
- confirmation of any rent-free weeks
