Landlords
A Housing Payment (HP) is extra money that can help to pay for:
- Rent shortfall – if Housing Benefit (HB) or Universal Credit Housing Costs (UCHC) does not meet the full rent
- Lump sum costs associated with a housing need, for example removal costs
- Rent arrears
- Bonds / Deposits to secure a new tenancy
- Under the Renters Rights Act, landlords in England can no longer demand, encourage, or accept rent payments before you have both signed the tenancy agreement. Pre-tenancy: Once the contract is signed and a tenancy agreement is in place, but before a tenant moves in - the maximum rent in advance that a tenant can be asked to pay is one month’s rent.
Each case is assessed on its individual merits. If the application is for rent in advance and or a bond, we ask that the potential landlord of the new property completes the landlord HP enquiry form to help us consider the application.
To be eligible for a HP the applicant must currently receive Housing Benefit from Wyre Council, or the housing cost element of Universal Credit, and live in the Wyre area.
You will be notified in writing if this application is successful.
Wyre Council may pay the Bond, the rent in advance will follow separately once the tenancy agreement is in place.