Rates to Landlord?

jonty500

Hi I recently was awarded Housing Benefit for a Property I've started to rent. My Housing Benefit was made up of two Parts one towards Rent and one towards Rates. Can I use both parts to go towards my Rent or only the Rent part and send the Rates payment to my Landlord? When I found the Property online it said 'Rates Paid by Landlord' 

jonty500

I live in Northern Ireland a lot of people over here havent been moved to Universal Credit yet. We don't pay Council Tax we pay an Annual Charge on a Property called Rates (The more expensive The Property The higher The Rate Charge) The place where I've moved the Rent is £120 per week In my Housing Benefit Award letter it's says this-
You have been Awarded the following-         Rent   =   67.82 per week
                                                                             Rates =   14.09 per week
                                                                  Total Award =   81.91 per week
Allowing for Housing Benefit you will need to pay your Landlord £38.09 each Week. 
So as you see even the Housing Benefit people appear to say I can use the Rates portion to go towards my Rent?