Original document : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2

Change description : 2025-04-30 00:15:00: The most that can be taken from your Universal Credit payment to pay rent arrears has changed from 20% to 15% of your Universal Credit standard allowance. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-01-22 12:18:17.140044249 +00:00..2025-04-29 23:15:09.688347195 +00:00

Guidance

Universal Credit and landlords

Guidance for landlords on Universal Credit and rented housing

Documents

Details

Information for landlords about Universal Credit to help them understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for:

  • their move to the single Universal Credit benefit payment
  • making payments of their housing costs (rent) direct to their landlord themselves

It also explains what support is available for tenants who may need help moving to the new system.

Read about Alternative Payment Arrangements.

Read service charges guidance for landlords.

If a tenant is having difficulty paying their rent, landlords can apply for a Managed Payment to Landlord using the Apply for a Direct Rent Payment service to request payment of rent from a tenant’s Universal Credit.

Updates to this page

Published 1 August 2016

Last updated 2230 JanuaryApril 2025 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates
    1. Added what social rented sector landlords should add to their annual rent change letters.

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Update history

2025-04-30 00:15
The most that can be taken from your Universal Credit payment to pay rent arrears has changed from 20% to 15% of your Universal Credit standard allowance.

2025-01-22 12:18
Added what social rented sector landlords should add to their annual rent change letters.

2025-01-20 10:31
Updated third party contact centre contact details: removed phone number and added email address.