Universal Credit

(asked on 2nd March 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to (a) review the level of deduction from the universal credit standard allowance to repay rent arrears and (b) introduce flexibility within the system for landlords to request deductions at a lower level.


Answered by
Alok Sharma Portrait
Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
This question was answered on 7th March 2018

The Department consulted about deductions for rent arrears in 2014. Following this the Government provided for an increased amount to be deducted for rent arrears in order to protect claimants from eviction and to protect landlords’ income streams when all other options for recovery have failed. Increasing the deduction rate to repay rent arrears helps claimants pay off what they owe more quickly, and reduce the chances of eviction. This is an important step in helping claimants clear their debts and to prepare for, find and progress in work.

The rent arrears deduction rate is set at between 10% - 20% and is made up of two parts: a minimum deduction of 10% of the claimant’s standard allowance and up to a further 10% depending on individual circumstances, such as which other deductions may be being applied.

There are no plans to review the level of deductions that can be made. Landlords are however free to make their own arrangements with tenants for the repayment of rent arrears.

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