The Regulations were introduced to restrict the housing costs element of Universal Credit for new claimants aged between 18 and 21 years old, in an attempt to reduce the amount of taxpayers’ money paid towards housing costs. Unless an exemption applied then an 18 to 21 year old Universal Credit claimant would be unable to claim assistance with their rent. This led to many landlords refusing lets to 18 to 21 year olds and also resulted in young Universal Credit eligible claimants having to consider if they truly could afford to live independently without any welfare state assistance with their rent costs.
The U-turn by the Government means that 18 to 21 year olds will no longer need to satisfy any of the additional requirements to be eligible to make a claim to assist them with their housing costs. Landlords will also be relieved to know that they can let to tenants aged 18 to 21 years old who will be eligible and will be able to afford to rent as a result of receiving assistance with the housing costs element of Universal Credit.
Do note that welfare benefit claimants must still satisfy the general eligibility benefit to claim Universal Credit and the benefit cap still applies so any claimant who does not satisfy the requirements or is already receiving the limit, may not be entitled to assistance with the housing costs element.
If you have any queries regarding the above then please contact Zishaan Saleem or Jonathan Cox.
On 23 July, trainees from Anthony Collins Solicitors will host an ‘experience day’, which will involve various activities and presentations, with lawyers and non-lawyers from across the firm.
In the second part of our series on contract management pitfalls, we look at the risks and opportunities presented by payment mechanisms in construction contracts.
Under most construction contracts, the contractor takes on the ground conditions risk. However, a recent case has demonstrated that the risk can fall on the employer.
The UK Government has been consulting on how it should promote social value in its procurements. Here is our response that we submitted to the consultation...
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into force on 1 June 2019.
A recent case in the Court of Appeal will no doubt bring a sigh of relief for employers, but a corresponding sigh of disappointment may be uttered for equality and gender balance in the workplace.
This briefing assists response to the consultation paper by outlining the consultation questions, providing some background information and prompting some thoughts and potential answers.
A report published on 29 May by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found that since 2009-10, local government spending on services has fallen on average by 21% in real terms.
A long-awaited decision of the Court of Appeal has clarified that a lower standard of proof should apply than previously thought before an Inquest can return a conclusion of suicide.
New regulations come into force on 1 June 2019, amending the Section 21 (s21) prescribed form template for use with assured shorthold tenancies.
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