The latest quarterly survey from the National Landlords Association has found that 96 per cent of the 500 landlords surveyed were concerned about the introduction of universal credit. Other related concerns included arrears avoidance (64 per cent) and minimising voids (56 per cent).
While it should be noted that the NLA represents the private residential sector, the very high level of concern about universal credit is likely to also apply to the social housing sector.
David Salusbury, chairman, National Landlords Association, said, “Although we support the principle of encouraging people to take responsibility for their finances, landlords have to deal with the problems when this doesn’t happen in practice.
“Direct payment of housing benefit to landlords has provided a reassurance which many people fear may now be removed. I hope that landlords, tenants and local authorities can work together to ensure the smooth transition from the local housing allowance to universal credit. If tenants fail to meet their rental commitments, we are likely to see landlords withdrawing from the local housing allowance market.”
