Closed petition Reinstate Direct Payment of Housing Benefit to Landlords

Closed on 7 September 2012

Housing Benefit is now paid direct to tenants, even if both landlord and tenant agree direct payment to the landlord is desirable.

This increase risk that tenants will spend their benefits on other things and landlords lose out.

As a consequence Landlord refuse Housing Benefit tenants as a matter of routine or demand large deposits.

The reduced supply forces up rents.

Tenants also lose out as rent arrears often result in eviction, often on "no blame s21 basis" and the cycle repeats. Tenants thus lose the opportunity of a stable home.

Reversal of DWP guidance would
i) Lower rents and save public costs
ii) Lessen the need for Legal Aid to Defend possession proceedings
iii)Increase Housing stock available to persons on Benefits in need