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
- is 8 or more weeks in arrears with their 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
- a persons 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.
More information can be found here about reconsiderations and appeals
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 blue button below to access or register for their OPENPortal account.
Adobe software must be installed on the computer to view these documents.
Making a request
Complete of the following forms that best relates to you and return it.
If you are a tenant or the tenant's representative -
If you are a tenant and would like to give consent to housing benefits to contact and inform third parties on your behalf -
If you are a landlord and would like to request direct payments -
