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When everyone has a home

Housing advice for Northern Ireland

Private rented housing benefit

Housing benefit

Housing benefit can help some people to pay their rent and rates. The government is replacing housing benefit with Universal Credit. Most people who need to claim help to pay rent for the first time will claim Universal Credit instead of housing benefit. 

You can only make a new claim for housing benefit if you are of pension age or if you live in supported or temporary housing. 

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Housing benefit for students

You can make a new claim for housing benefit if you are a student and you have reached pension age. Younger students will only be able to claim housing benefit if

  • they are living in temporary or supported housing, and
  • they meet certain requirements. 

Some younger students may be able to claim Universal Credit, but this is not always possible. 

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Housing Benefit and Universal Credit for landlords

Your tenants have a right to apply for benefits to help pay their rent. You can be sued for discrimination if you refuse to allow tenants to claim benefits. Most tenants will claim Universal Credit. Your tenants can get Housing Benefit instead if

  • they are over pension age, or
  • they are moving from another tenancy and are already getting Housing Benefit
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Video guide to Housing Benefit for private tenants

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Payment of rent

Your tenants are obliged to keep their rental accounts up to date. If a tenant is late with rent or hasn't paid in full, you should contact them to find out what has happened.

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Who can claim?

Tenants can claim Housing Benefit if they are over pension age. Other tenants can claim Universal Credit if they're on a low income. Certain people cannot claim any help with their rent.

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Housing benefit for landlords

Your tenants who need help to pay their rent will get either Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. Most tenants making a new claim for benefits will claim Universal Credit. Your tenants may get Universal Credit instead if they

  • are over pension age, or
  • are moving into your home from another rental property that they got Housing Benefit for
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Calculating and paying housing benefit

The local housing allowance (LHA) system calculates how much benefit private tenants get towards rent. Both Housing Benefit and Universal Credit use the LHA rules. 

The amount your tenant gets in benefits will not usually match the rent you charge. It's common for tenants to get a lot less than they have to pay the landlord. 

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Overpayments of benefit to landlords

You may be asked to pay back Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if your tenant was not entitled to this money. 

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Rent, rates and housing benefit

You must pay rent to your landlord in return for living in the property. If you stop paying your rent, are late with a payment or do not pay in full, your landlord may begin eviction proceedings against you.

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