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Housing Element of Universal Credit Query
- Boots281
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1 week 3 days ago #309288 by Boots281
Housing Element of Universal Credit Query was created by Boots281
In February this year I received the Migration letter for ESA to Universal Credit.
I filled in the form to Migrate to Universal Credit with the Housing Element included.
I was put on New Style ESA and Universal Credit, I also receive PIP.
My Housing benefit was stopped and I was put on to the Housing Element of U/C where I soon received an email stating my Rent Account was in arrears and I should make immediate payments to clear the arrears. I am a Council Tenant.
I spoke to the Rent Department who explained Housing benefit was paid weekly in advance but Universal Credit is paid a Calendar Month in Arrears.
They informed me the only way to stop the arrears (emails and letters demanding immediate payments, I even had a email stating legal action would be taken) was for me to pay a Months rent in advance to put my rent account in Credit which would balance Universal Credit paying a month in arrears.
In May 2025 I struggled to find the money and paid the months rent to the Council.
I have this week received another email stating my Rent Account is 2 weeks in arrears and to make an immediate payment.
I have 4 weeks rent free.
Universal Credit take this in to account when they decide how much Housing Element to pay.
1 weeks rent x 48 weeks (instead of 52 weeks) = yearly amount
Divided by 12 = Calendar month payment
This means my Calendar monthly payments are less (causing 'arrears') BUT by the end of 12 months the payments should have caught up and the yearly rent is paid. (hope this makes sense)
I have contacted the Rent Department to explain this (I am not the only one on Universal Credit who has their rent paid in arrears)
Their response is 'you're in arrears, make immediate payment, pay a months rent in advance to clear the arrears'
I paid a months rent in May to put my account in Credit.
I cannot keep paying arrears that the Housing Element of Universal Credit should correct the account at the end of the year.
It is really distressing receiving these emails for payments and arrears I have no control over.
Any advice of what to do?
Karen
I filled in the form to Migrate to Universal Credit with the Housing Element included.
I was put on New Style ESA and Universal Credit, I also receive PIP.
My Housing benefit was stopped and I was put on to the Housing Element of U/C where I soon received an email stating my Rent Account was in arrears and I should make immediate payments to clear the arrears. I am a Council Tenant.
I spoke to the Rent Department who explained Housing benefit was paid weekly in advance but Universal Credit is paid a Calendar Month in Arrears.
They informed me the only way to stop the arrears (emails and letters demanding immediate payments, I even had a email stating legal action would be taken) was for me to pay a Months rent in advance to put my rent account in Credit which would balance Universal Credit paying a month in arrears.
In May 2025 I struggled to find the money and paid the months rent to the Council.
I have this week received another email stating my Rent Account is 2 weeks in arrears and to make an immediate payment.
I have 4 weeks rent free.
Universal Credit take this in to account when they decide how much Housing Element to pay.
1 weeks rent x 48 weeks (instead of 52 weeks) = yearly amount
Divided by 12 = Calendar month payment
This means my Calendar monthly payments are less (causing 'arrears') BUT by the end of 12 months the payments should have caught up and the yearly rent is paid. (hope this makes sense)
I have contacted the Rent Department to explain this (I am not the only one on Universal Credit who has their rent paid in arrears)
Their response is 'you're in arrears, make immediate payment, pay a months rent in advance to clear the arrears'
I paid a months rent in May to put my account in Credit.
I cannot keep paying arrears that the Housing Element of Universal Credit should correct the account at the end of the year.
It is really distressing receiving these emails for payments and arrears I have no control over.
Any advice of what to do?
Karen
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- latetrain
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1 week 2 days ago #309333 by latetrain
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by latetrain on topic Housing Element of Universal Credit Query
Hi Boots281
Thank you for your question, it is outside the remit of the forum but I am able to answer your question .
UC is paid monthly in arrears which is why social housing has been asking their tenants to go one month in credit before they apply for UC as they know it takes over 5 weeks for UC to pay the housing element, usually direct to the claimant unless the claimant comes under tier 1.
Social landlords can issue you a Notice seeking Possession usually if you have 4 weeks rent or more, the notice stays on your account for one year then drops off, what this means is that if you go 8 weeks or more in arrears then your landlord can start court action to repossess, at this stage court fees are added to your account but not your rent account.
Most social landlord systems are automated, which send out letters as soon as someone goes into arrears, quite often rent accounts go in and out of arrears over a cycle.
You should have had a 2 week run on from your HB when you applied for UC, we would advise you to seek advice from your local Welfare Rights Organisation: advicelocal.uk where they can take all your circumstances into consideration when giving you advice.
Gary
Thank you for your question, it is outside the remit of the forum but I am able to answer your question .
UC is paid monthly in arrears which is why social housing has been asking their tenants to go one month in credit before they apply for UC as they know it takes over 5 weeks for UC to pay the housing element, usually direct to the claimant unless the claimant comes under tier 1.
Social landlords can issue you a Notice seeking Possession usually if you have 4 weeks rent or more, the notice stays on your account for one year then drops off, what this means is that if you go 8 weeks or more in arrears then your landlord can start court action to repossess, at this stage court fees are added to your account but not your rent account.
Most social landlord systems are automated, which send out letters as soon as someone goes into arrears, quite often rent accounts go in and out of arrears over a cycle.
You should have had a 2 week run on from your HB when you applied for UC, we would advise you to seek advice from your local Welfare Rights Organisation: advicelocal.uk where they can take all your circumstances into consideration when giving you advice.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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