WIREDGOV

RESPONDING to a new report by the University of York on the supply of private rented housing to tenants in receipt of benefits, a spokesperson for the National Residential Landlords Association yesterday said:

“No landlord should discriminate against tenants because they are in receipt of benefits. Every tenant’s circumstance is different and so they should be treated on a case-by-case basis based on their ability to sustain a tenancy.

“More broadly, the Government needs to take action to give both tenants and landlords greater confidence that benefits will cover rents. This should include reversing the decision to freeze housing benefit rates in cash terms and ending the five week wait for the first payment of Universal Credit. Ministers should also enable tenants to choose, at the outset of a claim, if they want the housing element of Universal Credit paid directly to their landlord. We need also a renewed focused on developing new social housing, alongside the private rented sector.”

Notes:

• Further information about the NRLA can be found at www.nrla.org.uk.  It tweets @NRLAssociation.
• For further information contact Ed Jacobs by emailing ed.jacobs@publicaffairsco.com or ring 07706386773.
• The NRLA’s press office can be contacted by emailing press@nrla.org.uk or ring 0300 131 6363.