The start and end of a tenancy can be a time where HB goes unpaid creating unnecessary arrears.
If you have a tenancy where HB hasn't been paid from the tenancy start date, or up until the end of the tenancy, it is worth considering the reasons why and seeing if HB could in fact be paid for this period.
More important is preventing these arrears from arising in the first place by the use of standard letters, and appropriate advice at sign up and tenancy termination. Even if your tenant has left, leaving former tenant arrears, there are still ways you can get some of these arrears covered by Housing Benefit.
HB at this time goes unpaid for a variety of reasons:
1) The tenant, although they've made a claim for HB, may not be entitled to claim, or may not have provided the correct information.
2) At the beginning of a tenancy, HB will not be paid until:
- A proper claim is made
- The tenant moves in and
- The correct information is given.
3) Even then it may not be paid from the tenancy start date if:
- The tenant did not move in on the day their tenancy started - but see exceptions.
- The tenant did not hand in their HB claim / notify HB of move within the permitted timescales.
4) At the end of the tenancy HB will end when the tenant moves out. You can however often get HB paid for the notice period reducing former tenant arrears; or successfully challenge an overpayment.
5) If the tenant is only away temporarily ie they intend to return, they may be able to claim HB during this period, if not there maybe someone left living in the property who may be able to claim HB instead ie if they are a joint tenant, a partner, take on the tenancy, or anyone who has to pay rent to remain living in the property if they can be treated as liable for rent.
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