Changing address universal credit

poordisableddriver

Before anyone attacks me, let's not forget that loads of people claimed UC during the pandemic and found it's not an easy ride like some people thought, and that many people in work claim it. I have genuine personal reasons for claiming.

I want to move to a new address but universal credit is illogical with it. Whilst a tenancy agreement and a bank statement were accepted for opening the claim (and still seem to be by some jobcentres), a change of address doesn't accept a bank statement. If bills are not inclusive, a utility bill is required (makes no sense if you've just moved in as they're monthly bills); if bills are included, a breakdown of costs from the landlord is required.

The problem is that the court case saying it's illegal not to rent to UC claimants means nothing in practice - and annoyingly, the Spare Room website has removed the 'DSS welcome' search option, making it harder to find a friendly landlord.* It's not like claimants can afford to take landlords to court, and it wouldn't put us in their good books anyway. And of course they can just say things like "we don't feel you're a good fit" to avoid saying the real reason.

So it's impractical to tell most landlords. I always pay my rent on time but they see claimants as a risk (thanks, Benefits Street) In the past, when it was separate housing benefit, I didn't have to tell them - and landlords were safer because if jobseeker's allowance was messed up, it didn't affect housing benefit (or if it did, a nil income claim could be made) so landlords at least got some rent.

So in short, I want to move but it's not practical to let a landlord know unless the landlord advertises that they accept benefits claimants, which is probably 1% of landlords. Any suggestions? And why is a bank statement fine for opening the claim but not for changing address? Does anyone know a website for rooms (I'm not comfortable in a big house on my own) or studio flats that says when a landlord welcomes benefits claimants?

*DSS = Department of Social Security. It's the old name for DWP and often used to this day.

badmemory

I see you are new to the forums & I do not know the answer to your question, but this is not a place where someone will have a go at you because things have not been going great for you recently.  Maybe reading a few of peoples threads on here will make you feel more comfortable.

huckster

For UC to include Housing costs you need to provide evidence you are liable to pay rent and also that you occupy the property.

If you don't want to claim Housing as part of the UC claim, then you just need to report a change under the section where you live and what it costs and say that you don't have Housing costs as part of the claim.

powerspowers

The breakdown of costs will probably be on a tenancy agreement if you need to prove the amount to UC, that shouldn’t require telling your landlord that you are claiming benefits. 

poordisableddriver

powerspowers said:

The breakdown of costs will probably be on a tenancy agreement if you need to prove the amount to UC, that shouldn’t require telling your landlord that you are claiming benefits. 

It never seems to have that on a tenancy agreement - just the overall rent charge if bills are included. I was thinking maybe moving to somewhere where bills are not included would be easier, but one of the pieces of evidence in such a case is a utility bill - but how can you get one if you've only just moved in to a property?

Newcad

In a Private Rental then what is included in the rent or not is irrelevant. The amount of benefit payable towards rent is 'capped' by the LHA.

However UC always asks for a breakdown for all rentals - and then ignores it for Private Rentals.

Service charges are only an issue for UC if you have a Social rental.

It's done like that for a good reason but like many good reasons can often seem a daft way of doing things.

(The good reason is that a surprising number of people do not know if their rental is Social or Private and so UC tries to capture everything that might be needed, whether it is needed or not).

poordisableddriver

Thanks for the replies - if I go for a place with utility bills not included (as despite the law, the practicalities of universal credit but a lot of landlords off so it's important they don't know), does anyone know if it's possible to get a utility bill - e.g. electric or gas - when I first move in a property? Universal Credit asks for it but I don't see how it would work if I've only just signed up for electricity or gas?

Muttleythefrog

poordisableddriver said:

Thanks for the replies - if I go for a place with utility bills not included (as despite the law, the practicalities of universal credit but a lot of landlords off so it's important they don't know), does anyone know if it's possible to get a utility bill - e.g. electric or gas - when I first move in a property? Universal Credit asks for it but I don't see how it would work if I've only just signed up for electricity or gas?

I was able to get a water bill generated pretty quickly after moving.... I suppose you could ask them... or otherwise see if U/C will accept other communications from utility providers welcoming you to service or setting up direct debits etc. Council Tax usually pretty quick at dishing out your bill too.. that surely would be suitable proof!

poordisableddriver

Muttleythefrog said:

poordisableddriver said:

Thanks for the replies - if I go for a place with utility bills not included (as despite the law, the practicalities of universal credit but a lot of landlords off so it's important they don't know), does anyone know if it's possible to get a utility bill - e.g. electric or gas - when I first move in a property? Universal Credit asks for it but I don't see how it would work if I've only just signed up for electricity or gas?

I was able to get a water bill generated pretty quickly after moving.... I suppose you could ask them... or otherwise see if U/C will accept other communications from utility providers welcoming you to service or setting up direct debits etc. Council Tax usually pretty quick at dishing out your bill too.. that surely would be suitable proof!

Thanks, how quick was the water bill? I was told that council tax bills are not sent to residents in shared houses (shared is what I prefer) so that probably wouldn't work.

Muttleythefrog

poordisableddriver said:

Muttleythefrog said:

poordisableddriver said:

Thanks for the replies - if I go for a place with utility bills not included (as despite the law, the practicalities of universal credit but a lot of landlords off so it's important they don't know), does anyone know if it's possible to get a utility bill - e.g. electric or gas - when I first move in a property? Universal Credit asks for it but I don't see how it would work if I've only just signed up for electricity or gas?

I was able to get a water bill generated pretty quickly after moving.... I suppose you could ask them... or otherwise see if U/C will accept other communications from utility providers welcoming you to service or setting up direct debits etc. Council Tax usually pretty quick at dishing out your bill too.. that surely would be suitable proof!

Thanks, how quick was the water bill? I was told that council tax bills are not sent to residents in shared houses (shared is what I prefer) so that probably wouldn't work.

A month basically... an interim bill I requested because when I applied for support from one of their schemes they said they needed to know water usage. But I had electricity and water letters before that.. not bills but confirming supply and direct debits etc. See what they'll accept and if they don't accept utility letter etc than frankly they're going to have to wait until documents exist they accept. Surely though there will be a way through this... many people will move and need to evidence address change.

Newcad

As said utilities and other such charges are irrelevent for UC Housing Element in a Private rental, other than showing that you are actually living in the property.

They just say "a utility bill" because many claiming UC for the first time are not moving house so will have bills already.

However they do realise that if moving then you won't yet have a bill addressed to you at the new property, so as long as you can show something 'official' that is addressed to you at the property then that should be all they need to see.

Something like a letter saying that you have set up a new utility account at the address should be sufficient.

In the end it's just UC asking for/listing things that claimants will generally have, but other alternatives can usually be used.