Return to direct Housing Benefit payments to landlords?

Patrick Bullick, a London estate agent and former Propertymark board member, has called for housing benefits to be paid directly to landlords, as was the case before Universal Credit reforms. Under the current system, tenants receive the housing benefit element, often leading to rent arrears due to financial pressures. Bullick argues that this change has made landlords reluctant to rent to tenants on benefits, resulting in increased homelessness and costly emergency accommodations.

He suggests that reverting to the old system would ensure taxpayers’ money is used effectively while helping families avoid homelessness, even if it reduces tenants’ control over their finances. Bullick emphasizes that this is a practical solution rather than an overreach by the government.