Direct payment to landlord requests

The local housing allowance (LHA) benefit is usually paid to you. However, benefit can be paid direct to your landlord.

We can decide to pay direct to your landlord where you are -

likely to have difficulty in managing your financial affairs
8 or more weeks in arrears with your rent
unlikely or improbable to pay your rent

Who can request a direct payment

If you are having difficulty in paying your rent the following can request a direct payment -

you
your landlord
person's acting on your behalf

This request must be in writing using the relevant form below.

Direct payment decisions

Benefits staff make the decision to make direct payments based on evidence received.

We must have evidence to show that it is in your interests that we pay the landlord directly. We can in some circumstances pay the landlord for up to 8 weeks while we are making our decision.

When a decision has been made, you and the landlord (where appropriate) are notified.

If you disagree with a decision, you can find more information regarding landlords right of appeal here.

Direct payment to landlord request guidance notes

Landlord notifications

From 11 January 2023, all landlords that receive direct payments will only be able to view their e-schedules (list of tenant's payments) and Housing Benefit notifications by viewing PDF documents in an OPENPortal account.

Landlords can use the button below to access their OPENPortal account.

Adobe software must be installed on the computer to view these documents.

Online registration for Landlords is currently unavailable.

To register for a landlord’s OPENPortal account, email Development&SupportTeam@hullcc.gov.uk providing the following -