Service charge payments as risk with welfare reform

Much of the legislation on welfre reform is still being invented.

Inside Housing have reported that DWP is considering changes to regulations concerning what aspects of housing servcie charges are not covered by housing benefit.

Service charges on average make up about 1/10th of annual rental income of social landlords. They also report that only 77% of service charges are currently collected.

The DWP have said they do not intend to alter HB for support, but it is not yet clear whihc payments are at risk, but hints have been made of lifts, play areas and fuel bills. Worrying times for tenants and landlords.