The British Property Federation (BPF) has questioned a move that would see council staff having to wheel and deal with local landlords to reduce their rent in return for the comfort of getting paid directly.
It has been confirmed today that this policy will only last for two years.
Previously Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud had urged landlords to "meet us half way" by lowering rents in exchange for a return to the system of direct payments, where rent is paid directly to the landlord by the local authority, rather than by the tenant.
It has emerged as part of changes to the LHA that come into effect today that this protection will only last for up to two years from today. Many of the changes were announced as part of a raft of reforms in last year’s emergency budget and autumn spending review that also see LHA capped at £400 a week for new tenants.
Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the BPF, said: "This is Del-Boy benefit policy. Seeking to trade a landlord’s right to be paid with the Government’s desire to reduce its expenditure.
"If this was really about protecting tenants why limit it at two years, and not give an on-going commitment to direct payment up until housing benefit is absorbed into Universal Credit?
"Landlords should expect to get paid for the housing they provide. That shouldn't be contingent on lowering rents, or having to wait eight weeks under the current system.
"The Government would not dare treat other small businesses in such a way, but seems to think it is acceptable to allow people to rack up huge debts and treat landlords so badly."
(CD/GK)
Construction News
05/04/2011
Landlords Question 'Del Boy' Housing Benefit Policy

16/06/2025
Construction is underway on Siemens Mobility's new £20 million Bogie Assembly and Service Centre in Goole, with Yorkshire-based contractor Caddick Construction leading the build.
The 13,500 sq m facility will form a key part of Siemens Mobility's expanding Goole Rail Village and is set to boost the

16/06/2025
Construction has officially been completed on Molson Coors Brewing Company's new UK headquarters in Burton-on-Trent, delivering a state-of-the-art 10,300m² facility to support the brewer’s expanding operations across the UK and Ireland.
The project, led by main contractor Clegg Food Projects, invol

16/06/2025
Equans has signed a new five-year Strategic Partnership agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council to deliver facilities management services across the Council’s estate.
The deal follows the conclusion of a previous joint venture between the two parties, known as QWEST, which had been operati

16/06/2025
Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed by Guildford Borough Council to deliver a major package of highways infrastructure works for the Weyside Urban Village, a landmark regeneration project that will bring 1,550 new and affordable homes to the area alongside green spaces, employment zones, a co

16/06/2025
Real estate developer TT Group has received planning approval from Stoke-on-Trent City Council to convert the former Telecom House office building in Hanley into 99 residential units.
The seven-storey, 103,000 sq ft property on Trinity Street was previously occupied by BT and has remained vacant. T

16/06/2025
Foundation engineering specialist Roger Bullivant Limited (RBL) is making significant progress on the Balderton Rise residential development in Newark, working in partnership with housing provider Lovell.
The current phase of the project includes 102 new homes and highlights RBL’s commitment to su

16/06/2025
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched the third iteration of its Modular Buildings framework agreement, designed to accelerate the delivery of vital infrastructure projects across the UK in healthcare, education, housing, and other public services.
The new Modular Buildings 3 framewor

16/06/2025
Network Rail has successfully completed a major £84 million upgrade to overhead line equipment (OLE) on the Midland Main Line between London St Pancras and Bedford — delivering the project on time and under budget.
The OLE125 Compatibility project, which ran from September 2023 to June 2025, replac

16/06/2025
Kier has completed the delivery of a major new life sciences facility at the Advanced Research Clusters (ARC) West London Refinery Building in Hammersmith, providing 150,000 sq ft of high-specification laboratory, research and development space.
Situated on the northern embankment of the River Tham

16/06/2025
Esh Group has been recognised as one of the UK's Best Managed Companies 2025, earning a place among just ten private businesses selected nationally for the prestigious accolade.
The award, presented through Deloitte Private's Best Managed Companies programme, honours outstanding organisational perf