No Notification of Tenant's Transfer to UC

Universal Credit

Dear Advice Team.

After a period of hospitalisation, I belatedly discovered that a direct LHA rental payment had not been received. (I've received direct payments for the tenant concerned for some ten (10) years, and with very good reason).

When I queried the matter directly with the tenant (as a sensible precursor to taking the matter up with the Council itself) she advised that she was in the process of being transferred to UC. This dismal process was therefore initiated by the Council without any notification to me as Landlord, despite the ten year history of direct payments to me.

A further rent payment is shortly due, which if missed will leave me with two missed payments, and this on top of the "payment in arrears" that Councils routinely insist upon.

I'm still awaiting the Council's own comments over this matter but would be grateful for advice as to what procedure - statutory or otherwise - the Council should have followed in this instance.

Thank you for your assistance.