New research from the Business Development Research Consultants has found that private landlords are increasingly renting to housing benefit claimants even though they are concerned about the upkeep of the property and payments. The proportion of private landlords in Britain letting to benefits claimants more than doubled, increasing from 9 per cent in the last
The government has decided to push ahead with its housing benefit reforms despite advisers fearing they will discriminate against thousands of families and black and minority ethnic households. The changes will cap from next month the amount of local housing allowance payable for homes of six or more bedrooms, at the five-bedroom rate. A Work
Reforms to housing benefits would push claimants into ghettos as tenants are forced to move to areas where housing is cheap but jobs scarce, Shelter warned. The local housing allowance (LHA), which replaces housing benefit, is not enough to cover private sector rent for many tenants and those who lose out will need to meet
The government has changed the definition of the rental areas used to set housing benefit levels and sidestepped a House of Lord’s decision that would have forced it to redraw boundaries. The Department for Work and Pensions pushed through changes in rental areas, despite a Lord’s judgment that the areas covered were too large. The
The Bank of England figures show the number of new mortgages approved for homebuyers fell in July to just 33,000, down 71 per cent on a year ago. This brings further pressure on the government which is expected to release tomorrow a package of financial measures to get the housing market moving again. The latest
In a case highlighting the ‘perverse nature’ of the housing benefit which allows claimants to live in subsidised properties that most taxpayers could not afford, a family of five has been place by their council in a £2 million property, costing more than £91,000 a year in rent. Figures released under Freedom of Information show
Around 140,000 families are receiving more in benefits â £20,000 each year â than the average take home salary, according shadow work and pensions secretary, Chris Grayling. Employment minister Tony McNulty responded that the 140,000 families represented just 1 per cent of households with at least one person of working age receiving benefits, and that
The government introduced secondary legislation to parliament yesterday to bring sale and rent back agreements within the scope of the Financial Services Authority. The move follows the government’s consultation period, including a number of Office of Fair Trading’s recommendations such as compulsory regulation, increasing consumer awareness and improving information about housing benefits.
The government has been accused of creating a poverty trap with changes to the tax credit and benefit system for up to two million low earners. Those earning just above the minimum wage and receiving housing benefit are likely to face the highest penalty, as small increases in earnings could result in a loss of
GET READY to leave the country. Apparently, the government is planning a council tax revaluation. Shockingly, valuers will find out how much a home is really worth and tax it accordingly. According to the Mail on Sunday yesterday: ‘Ministers have purchased sophisticated ‘Big Brother’ computer systems which calculate the desirability of an area based on