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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

Last Updated: 20/02/2024

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: 23/01/2024

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.

Partners and Suppliers Gemma Doswell 28/11/2023
A landlords guide to tax return season

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.

Partners and Suppliers Gemma Doswell 04/08/2022
Making Tax Digital for Landlords - Everything you Need to Know

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.

Partners and Suppliers Gemma Doswell 04/07/2022
4 Tips on Gifting Property and Tax

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.

Partners and Suppliers Gemma Doswell 21/01/2022
What costs can be deducted on your 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.