Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2

Change description : 2025-12-03 00:15:00: Managed payment to landlord (MPTL) process now allows claimant tenants in the social rental sector to object to the creation of the MPTL. Guidance has been updated for clarity about when landlords can request MPTL and how long the claimant has to object and provide evidence. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-04-29 23:15:09.688347195 +00:00..2025-12-03 00:17:15.672866760 +00:00

Guidance

Universal Credit and landlords

Guidance for landlords on Universal Credit and rented housing

Documents

Details

Information for landlords about Universal Credit to help them understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for:

  • their move to the single Universal Credit benefit payment
  • making payments of their housing costs (rent) direct to their landlord themselves

It also explains what support is available for tenants who may need help moving to the new system.

Read about Alternativealternative Paymentpayment Arrangementsarrangements.

Read service charges guidance for landlords.

If a tenant is having difficulty paying their rent, landlords can apply for a Managedmanaged Paymentpayment to Landlordlandlord using the Apply for a Direct Rent Payment service to request payment of rent from a tenant’s Universal Credit.

Updates to this page

Published 1 August 2016
Last updated 303 AprilDecember 2025 + show all updates
  1. The most that can be taken from your Universal Credit payment to pay rent arrears has changed from 20% to 15% of your Universal Credit standard allowance.

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Update history

2025-12-03 00:15
Managed payment to landlord (MPTL) process now allows claimant tenants in the social rental sector to object to the creation of the MPTL. Guidance has been updated for clarity about when landlords can request MPTL and how long the claimant has to object and provide evidence.

2025-04-30 00:15
The most that can be taken from your Universal Credit payment to pay rent arrears has changed from 20% to 15% of your Universal Credit standard allowance.

2025-01-22 12:18
Added what social rented sector landlords should add to their annual rent change letters.

2025-01-20 10:31
Updated third party contact centre contact details: removed phone number and added email address.