Dominic Norwell & Myra Dicken

1. Dominic Norwell& Myra Dicken The Potential Impact of Welfare Reforms on a Housing Landlords Income

2. The Potential Impact of Welfare Reforms on a Housing Landlords Income • Universal Credit - The first week of any new claim is forfeited, claimants do not receive payment for minimum of 5 weeks, direct rent payments. • The change to the benefit cap Autumn 2016 • Housing benefit backdate – from 1st April 2016 maximum backdate reduced from 6 months to 1 month • DLA to PIP

3. Universal Credit - Will not be paid on 2 properties even if there is a contractual obligation. • In Medway approximately one third of tenants will be subject to Universal Credit awards to supplement their income to pay their rent. The Potential Impact of Welfare Reform on a Housing Landlords Income

4. Medway Council – HRA - March 2016 • 21 void properties • 3 homes for independent living, 5 Mutual exchanges • Weekly rental income for remaining 13 properties £1071.69 • 44% general needs rent is paid by Housing Benefit £471.51 • Potential FTA debt in March 2016 if tenants were in receipt of UC £1886.10 The Potential Impact of Welfare Reform on a Housing Landlords Income

5. This forms the basis of our presentation to discuss how we as partners can minimise the risk presented to us by the notice period issue. • How can we work together to avoid the impact of the loss of dual housing benefit. • Short notice lettings make the notice period difficult to predict – void turnaround pressures The Potential Impact of Welfare Reform on a Housing Landlords Income

6. The Potential Impact of Welfare Reform on a Housing Landlords Income • Open discussion

7. Dominic Norwelldominic.norwell@medway.gov.uk& Myra Dickenmyra.dicken@medway.gov.uk The Potential Impact of Welfare Reforms on a Housing Landlords Income