Local Housing Allowance: Vulnerable Tenants

Local Housing Allowance is usually paid to the tenant. The tenant cannot decide to have their Local Housing Allowance paid to their landlord. But we can pay Local Housing Allowance to the landlord if we decide a tenant is vulnerable.

What do we mean by vulnerable?

By vulnerable we mean someone who may have difficulty managing their money. We do not mean someone who does not want to pay their rent.

Who decides who is vulnerable?

The local council decides if a tenant is vulnerable. We must have evidence that the tenant cannot manage their money. Evidence must usually be in writing. People who can give evidence include:
  • the tenant
  • friends and family of the tenant
  • the landlord
  • welfare groups (including money advisers)
  • Social Services
  • GP
  • Probation Officers
  • Jobcentre Plus
  • The Pension Service
We will work with the tenant in making our decision.

Who might be vulnerable?

There are many reasons why someone cannot manage their money. A vulnerable tenant might be someone who:
  • has severe debt problems
  • has a recent County Court judgment against them
  • is an undischarged bankrupt
  • is unable to open a bank or building society account
  • has some of their Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance paid direct to the gas, electricity or water company or DWP
  • is getting Supporting People help
  • is getting help from a homeless charity
We may look into whether the tenant is vulnerable if the tenant:
  • has learning difficulties
  • has an illness that stops them managing on a day-to-day basis
  • cannot read English
  • cannot speak English
  • is addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling
  • is homeless
There may be other reasons why someone might be vulnerable. Ask us for more information. Details about how to get in touch with us are at the end of this leaflet.
Download an application form and Guidance Notes here:
Direct Payments of Local Housing Allowance to your Landlord
Guidance Notes

Making a decision

Once we have collected evidence we will decide as quickly as possible if a tenant is vulnerable. We will still pay Local Housing Allowance to the tenant while we are making our decision.

We will tell a tenant they are vulnerable. We will write to the tenant and explain the decision.

To view the LHA Vulnerability Policy please click here

Reviews and appeals

If the tenant or landlord disagrees with our decision they can appeal. The rules for this are the same as the rules for Housing Benefit. Ask us for more information about this. Details about how to get in touch with us are at the end of this leaflet.
We can look at the decision again. This is called a review. A review usually takes place after an agreed time.

Money advice – Agencies to approach for advice


Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 0845 120 2959
Web: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

The Law Centre
Tel: 01983 524715

Frontline Advice Centre
Tel: 01983 291552
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.frontlinedebtadvice.org.uk/

Bankruptcy-Insolvency – debt advice service
Tel: 0800 074 6918
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.bankruptcy-insolvency.co.uk

National Debtline
Tel: 0808 808 4000
Web: http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/


Consumer Counselling Service
Tel: 0800 138 1111
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.cccs.co.uk/

Further information

If you want more information about vulnerable tenants, phone your Housing Benefit department on 01983-823950 or visit them at:
Revenues & Benefits
Council Offices
Broadway
Sandown
Isle of Wight
Po36 9EA

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/



Page last updated on: 19/10/2011