The UK government has reaffirmed that tenants remain responsible for reporting any changes in their circumstances when claiming Universal Credit, despite landlords being able to provide information that may prompt official checks. This clarification comes amid the expansion of a government pilot scheme enabling councils to access Universal Credit data to recover misused housing support payments through Rent Repayment Orders.

Tenant responsibility in Universal Credit reporting

In response to a written parliamentary question from Labour MP Mohammad Yasin, the government confirmed that tenants must personally report any changes affecting their Universal Credit claims. While landlords can notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of changes such as tenancy endings, the ultimate responsibility lies with the claimant to declare these changes via the official “report a change” system.

Disability Minister Stephen Timms explained: “Landlords can report changes of this nature through a range of routes, including by email and via the Department’s Employment and Partnership Manager network. However, Universal Credit is designed around the principle that claimants are responsible for reporting changes of circumstance. For that reason, while information from landlords can trigger checks and investigation, claimants are still required to make a declaration through ‘report a change’.”

Expansion of Rent Repayment Order pilot scheme

The government is expanding a pilot that allows local councils to use Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) to recover housing support payments that have been misused. This scheme grants councils streamlined access to Universal Credit data, which is essential for verifying claims and pursuing repayment orders where overpayments have occurred.

Access to this data aims to improve the efficiency of investigations and enforcement actions, helping to protect public funds and ensure that housing support is correctly allocated.

Challenges faced by tenants under Universal Credit

Recent reports have highlighted difficulties faced by some Universal Credit claimants in meeting the Department for Work and Pensions’ documentation requirements. Property118 previously reported that some tenants have been overwhelmed by extensive demands to prove their eligibility, with one landlord describing how tenants had been “left in tears” due to the complexity and intrusiveness of the process.

Among the demands, claimants have been asked to provide a full-body photograph, including their feet, standing in the doorway of their rented property. Such requirements have caused significant distress and frustration among tenants attempting to comply with Universal Credit verification procedures.

What this means for landlords

Landlords should be aware that while they can report tenancy changes to the DWP, such as the end of a tenancy where Universal Credit Housing Element payments are made directly to them, the responsibility to update Universal Credit claims remains with the tenant. This distinction is important to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that landlords do not assume liability for tenants’ reporting obligations.

Furthermore, the expansion of the Rent Repayment Order pilot means landlords and agents may see increased council activity in recovering overpaid housing support. Maintaining accurate records and promptly notifying relevant authorities of tenancy changes can support compliance and reduce the risk of disputes.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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