Is housing benifit not paid to landlord is it fraud?

[cassa333]

If a tenant is getting housing benefit paid directly to them but doesn't then pay the landlord, is this fraud?

And if so, why don't they get done for it?

If not why not?

Thank you

[PurplePolkadot]

yes carmalee i think thats what it is, i think cassa is saying that as its paid to a person to aid them with their rent, and they then dont pay the rent are they fraudulent in their claim?....i dont know about fraud, but i can see why a LL would get tetchy if the rent wasnt paid if a benefit was in place to cover it. Not saying i would like to see anyone "done" though. Once a payment is missed it can be a slippery slope. Think myself lucky i dont have that worry.

[pink-kittens]

thanks for the clarification joko - I wasn't sure what it was now as when I claimed HB the tenant had the choice (we're talking 15/16 years ago)
Personally I think it would be far more prudent of both tenant AND council to pay the LL direct, but I don't make the rules :-p

[joko]

i agree, it would certainly save a lot of hassle..but i suppose they want epople to actually take at least some responsibilty for their budgeting etc - which i can also see the point of

my mum had a tenant who due to never having had to deal with it before believed she didnt have to even bother filling the forms in and that it was down to my mum to sort it all out and apply for her rent if she wanted it etc... bizarre... but she had no idea how things worked, how to sort herself out... i suppose its kind of educating them to the world i some way

[Erni561]

I was a landlord for a long time, when they started to pay tenant direct I sold my properties, because I knew I would not get paid.. The government said it was to learn people how to handle money.???? but this does not include council properties and housing associations ... the HB can be paid direct after three months arrears, but then the tenant finds another property ....easy money ...no fraud or theft for one or two hundred ponds a week, better than working, (conclusion is the council tenants know how to take care of there finances) private landlords provide the most accommodation, and tend to take care of there properties...Erni from Bolton

[philc]

I think this is a terrible mistake by the government, as people who are not capable of looking after themselves let alone their own money should be trusted with our hard earned tax payers money. I am a landlord and im enjoying evicting a tenant (section 21 section 8 and ive told the housing benefit she has just been on holiday for a week!!) Im getting excited because she is in court next week and the bailiffs will remove the the tax fraud from my hard earned property SKUM

[philc]

Sorry i spelt SKUM wrong SCUM. I actually meant THIEF!!