If a landlord wishes to make a claim for benefit they have to provide supporting evidence regarding the rent charge. The information needed is:
- the name and business address of the landlord,
- the date the tenancy started,
- what services, if any, are provided,
- if there is a managing agent, their name and business address, and
- the amount of rent payable, how often and on what date it should be paid.
For a tenant to provide documentary evidence of the above they may have to provide a tenancy agreement, rent book, letter from the landlord or a certificate of rent form.
This is the preferred option as it includes all the details the Council needs to know in order to calculate a claim. The certificate of rent form is available to download below.
If a landlord receives Housing Benefit payments they are under a legal duty to report changes in the circumstances of a tenant that they become aware of. The sorts of changes we need to know about are:
- if the tenant's rent changes,
- if the tenant moves including whether the move is to another room or flat in the same building,
- if anyone moves in with them,
- if they are temporarily absent from the property, such as on holiday or in hospital, and
- if they start or stop work.
Changes in circumstance should be reported quickly to avoid overpayments.
