Migration from ESA and housing benefit to UC

Nickya123

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice on the compulsory migration from ESA and housing benefit please. 

I have received housing benefit for 14 years in the same property, I was full time employed at first but I got multiple  health problems so now can’t work, because of that I’ve received ESA for about 12 years. 

I was told it was going to be a simple process especially because I’m also on PIP but it’s been an absolute nightmare so far. 

They keep asking me for a tenancy agreement, I’ve been on a rolling tenancy for 14 years, the only thing I get is a signed rent increase letter, last one being February last year. 

My landlords arnt the easiest people to speak to and because of my illnesses the house isn’t as tidy as it could be so I really don’t want to contact them to ask for any sort of letter as 1. They will want an inspection and 2. They will increase my rent as it’s been over a year. 

I have sent my rent increase letter to UC and my ID but they are now saying I need to attend a meeting next Saturday with the tenancy agreement and 3 forms of id. They can see the rent payments on bank statements, all the utilities are in my address , my pip is in my address, I’m not understanding why this isn’t enough for them. 

I’m at risk of losing my home if UC keep pushing this, they don’t seem to be reading my messages and just repeating the same ‘we need a tenancy agreement’ is there any help I can receive to solve this?

Thank you 

itsthelittlethings

They always need a tenancy agreement as otherwise you could say you were paying any amount and that would be an open door to fraud. I don’t think there’s any way of getting around it.

Nickya123

itsthelittlethings said:

They always need a tenancy agreement as otherwise you could say you were paying any amount and that would be an open door to fraud. I don’t think there’s any way of getting around it.

They can see on the rent increase letter signed by my landlord with the amount and they can see that amount go out of my bank account every month to that person. 

Thank you for your reply, I’m still failing to understand, I can’t see how that could be fraud. 

Also when I first stated claiming housing benefit the council kept it for file, its the only one I’ve ever had. 

rosewalk

Universal Credit should be able to accept a signed letter from your landlord if you do not have a signed tenancy agreement. Universal Credit need to see that you have liability to pay the rent and that you occupy the address. As UC can see the rent as a regular amount going out every month that should be accepted as proof along with the letter that you are liable to pay rent. I would suggest that you contact the Help to Claim the advice service operated by Citizens Advice as they provide advice on making UC claim and any issues that arise up to the first correct payment. Their number is 0800 144 8 4444 and they are open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Nickya123

rosewalk said:

Universal Credit should be able to accept a signed letter from your landlord if you do not have a signed tenancy agreement. Universal Credit need to see that you have liability to pay the rent and that you occupy the address. As UC can see the rent as a regular amount going out every month that should be accepted as proof along with the letter that you are liable to pay rent. I would suggest that you contact the Help to Claim the advice service operated by Citizens Advice as they provide advice on making UC claim and any issues that arise up to the first correct payment. Their number is 0800 144 8 4444 and they are open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Thank you for your reply, somebody just sent me from the government website that renting tenancies can be written or verbal as long as you pay your the rent. I’ve forwarded that to UC as I have a lot more proof than a verbal agreement.

Thank you again 

TimeLord1

I have known people to use rent increase letters and be refused because they wanted to see the original tenancy agreement from when you originally moved into the current property. Could be decades old and irrelevant rent costs. I'm not sure why it happens, but it does.

Newcad

It's poor training and poor software design again.

The software 'suggests' (very strongly I've been told) that a Tenancy Agreement is the preferred evidence. BUT forgets to say "Recent" TA.

It suggests it so strongly that poorly trained and inexperienced UC staff think that it is the only option.

Nickya123

I had to ask my landlady for a new tenancy after 14 years and I basically lost all dignity begging for the rent to still keep at £1000 and not be raised, they agreed to another 6 months at that rent. Now I’m off my rolling tenancy and on a 6 month one so in a worse position I was in for not reason. 

I really don’t know why universal credit is doing this, I’ve got bills not paid and phone calls constantly saying direct debits arnt going out. Luckily my bank is understanding and are giving me 3 months interest free on my overdraft and credit card.
They have said they will get to back to me the 28th? How nice, I have 3 more
days of no sleep panicking. 

It’s just a whole mess. 

TimeLord1

Nickya123 said:

I had to ask my landlady for a new tenancy after 14 years and I basically lost all dignity begging for the rent to still keep at £1000 and not be raised, they agreed to another 6 months at that rent. Now I’m off my rolling tenancy and on a 6 month one so in a worse position I was in for not reason. 

I really don’t know why universal credit is doing this, I’ve got bills not paid and phone calls constantly saying direct debits arnt going out. Luckily my bank is understanding and are giving me 3 months interest free on my overdraft and credit card.
They have said they will get to back to me the 28th? How nice, I have 3 more
days of no sleep panicking. 

It’s just a whole mess. 

Did you ask for an advance payment to help while UC sorts itself out?

huckster

Unfortunately some landlords issue very poor quality rent increase letters without all of the information required by UC and when UC looks to verify on these new UC claims, they are suspicious about the letters.  

One of the biggest concerns at the moment, is the amount of benefits paid where the claims are fraudulent. This runs into many billions.

I would expect a landlord to have kept copies of tenancy agreements and be able to supply these when required.

silvercar

huckster said:

Unfortunately some landlords issue very poor quality rent increase letters without all of the information required by UC and when UC looks to verify on these new UC claims, they are suspicious about the letters.  

One of the biggest concerns at the moment, is the amount of benefits paid where the claims are fraudulent. This runs into many billions.

I would expect a landlord to have kept copies of tenancy agreements and be able to supply these when required.

Surely it is the tenant obligation to make sure the rent is paid. That means keeping hold of tenancy agreements in case they are needed. I doubt a landlord is going to be pleased to be asked to dig out old agreements from years ago, particularly for tenants who could be a few weeks in arrears.