Surprise, surprise!

Flick dont know if you still have the flat but I do know that Landlords can insure themselves against such things as non payment of rent, I believe a company called Homelet do it as my brother had the same problem then was advised about Homelet. He now also makes sure that tenants are referenced before accepting them.

Yes, I agree with you in principle, Jadey but the arrears have gone up specifically in this group who now have rent paid direct to them rather than their landlord.

I am certainly not saying those on HB are irresponsible but the stated aim of this policy is to encourage those that are not good with money to become more responsible and anybody who has ever had to deal with people who are not good with money will tell you that the way to help them is to try and see that the most essential bills, housing, utilities etc get paid without them being directly involved, Direct Debits and other direct means of payment that go out as soon as their salary gets in bring some financial stability to such families because the roof over their head is secure and their homes are warm and lit,

It is also unfair to expect the landlords to bear the risk in this change of policy. I owned a flat that became a rented flat for a few years and it causes real problems when the rent isnt paid. You still have all the outgoings to meet, mortgage, insurance, maintenance charges, maintenance and improvement of the property itself. Difficult to do if the rent isnt coming in.
Infuriating when all was running well until the government changed the rules.

Well I have experience of people on Housing Benefit and yes some people are irresponsable but not really fair to say all are.

Rising arrears could be due to the recession, why does it have to do with HB.

Proffessional working people are loosing their homes due to non payment of mortgage hand over fist and an estate agent five minutes away from were I live has made a living from homes being re possed.

It really is silly though to even think of giving people on HB the rent instead of the landlord because why would you.

Very silly

Am I right in thinking that this stupid idea is still in the pilot stage and hasn't been spread to everywhere yet? If so, what are the chances that they will rethink instead? Yes, yes, I know; silly question.

We've been pointing all that out through CAB ever since the Housing Allowance was started.

Unfortunately history shows that many are.

You would have thought that they would have talked to debt advice agencies about their experience of dealing with people in debt because they cannot manage money before launching a pilot programme that will have caused all sorts of problems and expense for landlords who have not received their rent and who will now be unwilling to rent property to housing benefit recipients.

This government is clueless and incompetent.

Could they really not see that coming?

Poorly though through...like so many 'good ideas' various politicians and their 'advisors' come up with. Too many professional politicians with too little experience of ordinary life and an inability to listen to those with practical experience!