[Your address]
								[Your telephone number]
      [Your email address]
								[Date]


By [first class post / hand / email to: [insert email address]]

[Address of the Council’s housing benefit department]


Dear Sir/Madam

Re:	Request for direct payments of housing benefit to landlord
	Housing Benefit Regulations 2006, SI No. 213, Reg. 96(1)(c), 3(A)(b)(ii)
 	Name of claimant: [Name]
	Address of claimant: [Address]

I write in relation to the above named, who rents a property from me at the above address.  I understand they are in receipt of housing benefit.

I can confirm that:
* the claimant has [OR appears to have] vacated the premises; and
* they are currently in arrears of rent of £[amount].  I enclose a written statement of the rent account.

I write to ask that you exercise your discretion to pay me the benefit direct.  I respectfully suggest that direct payments should be made because:
* the claimant has [OR appears to have] ceased to reside in the dwelling, and there are outstanding payments of rent.  Accordingly Regulation 96(1)(c) is satisfied; and
* it is improbable the claimant will pay their rent because they have [OR appear to have] vacated the dwelling.  Regulation 96(3)(b)(ii) is therefore satisfied.

I can confirm the tenant is contractually obliged under the terms of their tenancy to pay their rent to me [OR my agent [name of agent] of [agent’s address]], and that the bank account details for payment are as follows:

Name of bank/building society:
[name of bank]

Name of account holder(s):
[name of account holder(s)]

Account number:
[account number]

Sort code:
[sort code]

I am aware that, whatever your decision, you must notify me (as a ‘person affected’ by the decision) in writing of the decision (Regulations 2 and 90(1), Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2001 SI No 1002, Regulation 3(1)(e)).
Many thanks for your help in this matter.

Yours faithfully




[Your name]
	
Enc: 	Rent account statement








E&W_HB_LLORD_08
From landlord to housing benefits
Requesting direct housing benefit payments because tenant vacated property and left rent arrears