§ Mr. Michael SpicerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider the policy of claiming rent back from the landlord, as opposed to the tenant, in cases where the tenant has received housing benefit subsequent to acquiring a job. [39267]
§ Mr. Roger EvansI have been asked to reply.
The circumstances in which local authorities seek recovery of overpaid housing benefit are varied. Regulations are sufficiently flexible to enable authorities to exercise discretion in doing this and they are encouraged to exercise this discretion fairly. Authorities cannot recover overpaid housing benefit from landlords if the benefit has been paid to the claimant. Recovery may, however, be made from the landlord if the benefit has been paid directly to him, although local authorities are required to make landlords aware that they may be liable. to repay any overpayment before any such direct payment arrangement is introduced. There are no current plans to change these arrangements.
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