Overpayments can cause arrears and headaches. But you can easily minimise the problems and prevent arrears if you follow the procedures outlined in these pages. To reduce your workload you can use the standard letters provided for a variety of circumstances.

When an overpayment arises, there are a number of issues to consider:

• Has the tenant actually been overpaid at all?
  
• Is the overpayment recoverable?
  
• Is it correct? (For example has underlying entitlement been taken into account?)
  
• From whom should it be recovered?
  
• How should it be recovered?
  
• Can / should it be challenged, and how?

If you are a Council or ALMO, note that there are some of the rules about overpayment recovery of rent rebates are different from rent allowance recovery (Housing Association/ private): click here. 

If you are a Housing Association or private landlord you may be asked to repay it - you do not always have to, even if requested to do so by the HB Office. There are standard letters for you to use for most cases but you will sometimes want to check if the overpayment is correct.  

HB Offices have some discretion in their methods of recovery, and sometimes their choices can cause difficulties for tenants and landlords. You can discover simple ways of challenging their methods and procedures, or of helping your tenant to appeal against a decision. 

You will also find out when, and if, recovered overpayments count as arrears.

Overpayments, and the probems they cause, can often be prevented by following good practice.

Click on the links or follow the menu bar to find out more.