Social Security Benefits: Private Rented Housing
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help incentivise private landlords to rent to benefit recipients.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
Rental discrimination against people who receive benefits has no place in a fair and modern housing market.
The Renters’ Rights Bill takes direct action to stop discriminatory practices against households receiving benefits in the private rented sector. It will address overt discriminatory practices, such as ‘no DSS’ adverts, and any indirect practices designed to intentionally prevent someone entering into a tenancy.
DWP does not incentivise private landlords to rent their properties to benefit recipients.
We do provide housing support towards rental costs for private renters in receipt of either Housing Benefit or Universal Credit via the Local Housing Allowance.
Discretionary Housing Payments are also available from local authorities to those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.
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