Tax and benefits
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Payment of benefits
Applying For Direct Payments Of Universal Credit
Last Updated: 21/07/2020
This guide explains how and where a landlord can make a request for direct payments through the Universal Credit system and apply for deductions from the tenant's ongoing Universal Credit payments to recover outstanding rent arrears, but only where the tenant continues to live in the property to which the arrears relate.
Assisting your tenant with a Universal Credit claim
Last Updated: 24/12/2020
The purpose of this guide is to outline how landlords can help tenants in making Universal Credit claims. It covers signposting on starting a claim, what sort of evidence the tenant will require, resources that landlords can use from the Government, and how it affects tenants who transition from other legacy benefits, as well as answering some other common questions about Universal Credit.
Local Housing Allowance Rates 2021
Last Updated: 21/07/2022
As part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has increased the amount of local housing allowance paid to tenants claiming housing benefit or Universal Credit. This page outlines the new rate in your area until March 2021.
Overpayment of Universal Credit and Housing Benefit
Last Updated: 22/10/2020
The National Audit Office estimates that more than one in every ten pounds paid through Universal Credit is paid in error. To recover this, or overpaid housing benefit, the DWP or the local authority can reclaim these overpayments. Often this is done by chasing the landlord, however more often than not the landlord can challenge this on the basis that the tenant was the person at fault for the overpayment.
Universal Credit expert Bill Irvine explains how to challenge overpayments in this guide.
Council Tax
Who Should Pay Council Tax On A Property
Last Updated: 29/11/2023
In general, as long as a tenant is resident in the property they are liable for the council tax. However this is an area with some nuance and landlords may be liable depending on how the property is let, who it is let to, and whether or not a tenant remains resident in the property.
Filling out your self-assessment
Self-assessment tax guide for landlords
Last Updated: 24/11/2021
If you are in receipt of rental income, you must consider your tax implications, and ascertain the correct approach as to how and if this needs to be reported. In a lot of cases, it will mean you need to submit a self-assessment tax return. To help you with this our partners at rita4rent have produced a guide to filling out a self-assessment.
A landlords guide to tax return season
As we approach tax return season, Gemma Doswell of Tax Scouts shares advice for landlords on what taxes they need to pay, important deadlines and how to file a tax return.
Making Tax Digital for Landlords - Everything you Need to Know
The first part of Making Tax Digital (MTD) came into effect in the UK in April this year. Here Gemma Doswell from NRLA Recognised Supplier, TaxScouts runs through everything you need to know to ensure you are compliant.
4 Tips on Gifting Property and Tax
If you've ever thought about the possibility of gifting a property, our partners at TaxScouts have provided some key points for consideration.
What costs can be deducted on your tax return?
NRLA Recognised Supplier Tax Scouts share their advice for landlords when it comes to what costs can be deducted on a self-assessment tax return.
Recent changes to tax
Recent tax changes that affect your self assessment
Last Updated: 22/11/2021
In recent years a number of different changes have been made to the tax regime. Most notably the changes to mortgage interest relief and stamp duty land tax. Our partners at rita4rent have produced guidance on these changes to help you understand how they affect you.
Property tax dates
Property Tax Dates
Last Updated: 20/04/2022
In recent years, HMRC have become more aggressive in penalising those who file and/or pay their taxes late, and in light of this, we summarise below a selection of dates for your diary in 2020/21. This should ensure you are aware of the full position, and that no deadlines are missed!
Property accounts spreadsheet
Property Accounts Spreadsheet
Last Updated: 20/04/2021
This property accounts spreadsheet will help you keep thorough and complete records of your property whether for business purposes or just your own personal portfolio. In addition, it is good practice to separate records between properties, especially if you let more than one. The spreadsheet is organised so you can instantly compare and contrast similar costs for up to 10 properties on the same page, while also allowing you to delve into the specific cost types to each of your properties.
Further resources
We have a wide range of available resources on various topics relating to good tenancy management. For a full list of these resources please see our resources index.