Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
UK Construction Directory
Search our 157,349 companies....

Construction News

05/04/2011

Landlords Question 'Del Boy' Housing Benefit Policy

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.
-- Advertisement --
hss



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)





Latest Construction News

13/06/2025
A vital piece of Peak District railway infrastructure is set to receive a major upgrade this summer, as Network Rail announces a £7.5 million investment into one of Chapel Milton's iconic twin Victorian viaducts. The 160-year-old, 15-arch structure plays a critical role in the UK's freight network,
13/06/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has revealed plans to expand its operations in South Yorkshire, building on its strong delivery record in West Yorkshire and aligning with the goals of the newly launched Great North initiative. Backed by northern regional mayors, the Great North initiative aims to unloc
13/06/2025
Construction has officially commenced on the new Children's Cancer Centre (CCC) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). Led by long-term design partner BDP, the new centre is one of the most ambitious projects in GOSH's history. The firm is overseeing architecture, landscape, engineeri
13/06/2025
The developer behind the Redworthy Orchard scheme in Yatton has handed over the first homes to a local housing association as part of a wider plan to provide affordable housing in the area. Persimmon Homes Severn Valley has transferred four new properties to Alliance Homes, a move set to ease press
13/06/2025
Wynne Construction has been awarded two major design and build contracts worth over £20 million by Adra to deliver nearly 100 new social homes across North Wales. Construction is already underway at the first site on Berse Road, Wrexham, where Wynne began work in March on a £9 million, 47-home soci
13/06/2025
Great Places Housing Group has officially broken ground on its landmark £37 million LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range, marking the start of construction during Pride Month. The scheme, hailed as the UK's first purpose-built Extra Care development of its kind, is being deliv
13/06/2025
Henry Boot PLC has announced that its property investment and development arm, HBD, has completed the sale of TWO45, a multi-let industrial-led business park in Skelmersdale, to a European real estate developer for £9.5 million. Located on a 10-acre site just minutes from the M58 and M6 motorways,
13/06/2025
Clowes Developments has announced the successful letting of Unit 5A, a newly completed 27,000 sq ft industrial unit at Stud Brook Business Park, to Shawpak Ltd, a pioneering manufacturer of medical device packaging machinery. Founded in Derby in 2013, Shawpak Ltd designs and produces a unique range
13/06/2025
The Hill Group and Legal & General (L&G) have announced a new partnership to deliver 200 affordable homes as part of the first phase of the £450 million City Centre South regeneration scheme in Coventry. This marks the first time the two organisations have collaborated on a major residential devel
13/06/2025
The historic South Crofty tin mining project in Pool, Cornwall, is set to receive a significant boost after being awarded £4,190,500 through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, marking the largest single private sector investment by the programme to date. Delivered by Cornwall C
Efco UK LtdStuart CanvasAqua Direct LtdLakeside HireBM SteelBest Price Building ProductsHydron Protective Coatings LtdMaster Build TeamWorksafe Electrical Services LtdGunning Heating Products Ltd