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A Landlords Guide to Housing Benefit

If your questions are not answered below you can Request Landlord Advice online.

How does my tenant claim help with the rent?

To claim benefit your tenant must complete a Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claim form. These are available from the Council's benefit section at Bridgnorth District Council and South Shropshire District Council. All claims must be made on a council approved form, which must be signed, by the customer and partner (if relevant). Married and unmarried couples should apply on the same claim form.

Once completed the application form must be returned to the benefit section immediately as benefit is usually only awarded from the Monday after we receive the completed claim form.

Proof of rent will be required to support your tenant's application for benefit. This can be proved with an in date tenancy agreement or rent book. If no formal tenancy agreement exists, then a letter from you confirming the tenancy details will suffice. This letter must provide the date the tenant moved in, the amount of rent charged, the type of tenancy and any services charges included in the rent. The letter must also be signed by you as a true statement.

The tenant is also responsible for providing proof of any income, capital and savings they may have before the claim can be put into payment.

How will I know if my tenant gets Housing Benefit and how much it is?

Landlords will only be notified of any decisions made by the council if the Housing benefit is to be paid to them direct. If this is not the case, you will need to speak to your tenant.

The council is obliged to determine a claim for benefit and notify the customer within 14 days of receiving all the necessary information. If the benefit is to be paid directly to the landlord, you will also receive a letter from us confirming the amount to be paid.

Certain charges included in your tenants rent cannot be covered by Housing Benefit. These charges are called 'ineligible services' and the council is obliged to make deductions for such items. These include:

• Heating
• Laundry
• Lighting
• Water Rates
• Hot water
• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Meals

What should I do if my tenant is going to be away from the property for a period of time?

If you know your tenant is claiming Housing Benefit, you must notify the benefit section immediately if your tenant is going away. Benefit may continue to be paid on a property if the customer is absent but intends to return within 13 weeks. There are exceptions to this rule and in certain cases benefit may continue for up to 52 weeks. However, the property must not be re let during any such absence.

For further detail, please contact the benefit section.

What should I do if my tenant leaves the property?

If you know your tenant is claiming benefit, you must inform us immediately of the date they leave your property.

What can I do if I do not agree with the amount of Housing Benefit my tenant has been allowed?

Usually only your tenant has the right to appeal against any decision made on their claim for benefit. However, in certain circumstances it is the 'person affected' who can appeal. For further guidance please contact the benefit section.

If your tenant considers that the details of their benefit are wrong, they must appeal, in writing, within one month of the date of the original decision.

The Council will then notify your tenant of its decision on appeal, giving reasons if the decision is not revised and informing the customer of their right to ask for a further review within one month. An independent tribunal conducts appeals.

What happens if my tenant is overpaid benefit but the payments are sent directly to me?

If you receive payments of Housing Benefit, you are under an obligation to notify the Council immediately of any changes to your tenant's circumstances that you are aware of. If payments are made directly to a landlord and the benefit is wrongly granted, the Council will decide whether to recover the overpayment from the landlord or the tenant.