Your tenant can choose if they want to receive Housing Benefit paid directly to them or directly to you.

If the tenant wants to receive payment direct to themselves the Local Authority cannot disclose any information to you unless one of the forms of consent described above  is held on the tenant’s file

If payment is made direct to you:

You can be told

• the date benefit started and ended
• the weekly amount of benefit and how often we pay
• the amount we are taking direct from benefit to recover an overpayment
• details of any cheque paid/BACS payment sent directly to you

It is your responsibility to collect any shortfall between the benefit that has been paid and the rent your tenant owes you.

When Housing Benefit is paid direct to your agent

• We expect to deal with your agent
• You must ask your tenant or agent for any information you need
• We will give your agent the same information that we would give you if we paid you direct

How can I find out how much Housing Benefit a potential tenant will receive?

• Prior to a new tenant taking on a tenancy they can complete and return a 'Pre Tenancy Determination' form available through the Benefits Enquiry Line or downloadable from this site
• This gives both your tenant and you the information to decide whether or not to go ahead with the tenancy

click here to download a copy of the Pre Tenancy Determination form49KB

What could delay benefits being paid?

• No claim received
• The tenant has not completed the form properly
• The claim form has not been provided with all of the necessary supporting evidence
• Further enquiries are required

click here to download a copy of the proof of income form 47.17KB

click here to download a copy of the pension confirmation form35.79KB

click here to download a copy of the proof of rent form46.93KB