If you make a claim for Universal Credit and you rent your home, you should include an amount for your housing costs (rent).
You should complete the 'to do', where I live and what it costs.
These details will be verified with your landlord and once confirmed you will receive an amount for your rent within your Universal Credit award.
Private let
If you are in a private let your rent is determined by the Local Housing Allowance and may not cover your rent in full.
It is your responsibility to pay your rent from the money you receive.
If you have a mortgage on your property you may not receive help with this straight away.
For more information visit the GOV.UK website:
Supported, sheltered or temporary housing
If you are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing you cannot get Universal Credit to help with housing costs if any of the following apply:
- living in supported or sheltered housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’
- living in temporary furnished accommodation or B&B arranged by your council
- living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse
If any of the above apply you will have to make a claim for Housing Benefit to help with your housing costs.
Paying your rent and housing costs
If your rent changes then you must report this on your journal via change of circumstances.
Annual rent increase
This will show as a ‘to do’ on your journal. You should complete this by adding the new rent amount to ensure you are getting paid the correct amount of housing costs.
The amount you receive for your housing costs may not cover your whole rent charge. This depends on the size of house you live in, your income and who else lives in your household
House size
Find out if you are under unoccupied, as you may be entitled to a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Income
Your housing costs might not be paid in full depending on the household earnings and other income.
Find out more at GOV.UK: How your earnings affect your payments
Who lives in the house
Do you have any non-dependants in your household?
A non-dependant is an adult who is not your partner and who lives with you on an informal basis. This means they’re not on the tenancy agreement and you are not subletting to them.
Non-dependants who live with you can include:
- grown-up children
- relatives
- friends
They are expected to help out with the cost of your rent. This is called housing cost contribution.
Worried about paying your rent or in rent arrears?
Pay direct to landlord
If you are in arrears with your rent, your landlord can apply to have the rent paid directly to them from your Universal Credit Award (Direct Rent Payment). You must be at least eight weeks in arrears or have a vulnerability for your landlord to request this.
Your landlord can also ask for an additional amount to be paid towards your rent arrears. You must be at least eight weeks in arrears before they can request this.
If you would prefer to have your rent paid direct to your landlord you can request this through Scottish Choices. Simply request this on your journal after your first Universal Credit payment. Having your rent paid to your landlord may help safeguard your tenancy.
Find out more at Scottish Government: Universal Credit (Scottish choices)
It is important you pay your rent in full to avoid accruing arrears and potential court action for eviction.
In Court advice
If your landlord is taking you to Court or you have received a legal notice then contact our In-Court Advice Service for advice and assistance.
For Council tenants you can visit My Housing for further information.
Help and support
If you need help or support in:
our Universal Credit Support Team will be happy to help you with this.