Reporting Rent Free Weeks and Rent Changes with no Work Coach.

Silver925

Hello,

Can anyone tell me how to report rent free weeks and annual Rent increases to UC when you haven't been assigned a Work Coach? I will be on LCWRA when my UC claim is fully processed. Do I use the report a change on my UC account for Rent free weeks and annual increases when they arise or do I call UC helpline or would I have to visit a Job Center? Thank You in advance. Nobody really answers messages as they are from a service center.

Kimi87

As you refer to rent free weeks I assume you rent from social housing?

When you first applied for Universal Credit you should have told them about your rent free weeks then.

If not your landlord should give them that information when UC ask them for confirmation of your rent (which they do if living in social housing).

With rent free weeks what UC do is calculate your total annual rent then divide that into 12 equal payments.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords#calculating-rent

Each April an item will appear on your Journal To Do list asking you to submit your new rent.

Silver925

Thanks for your reply. Yes I do rent from Social Housing. I have always read you need to update them yourself in these circumstances. I didn't know they sent you a prompt in your to do list. My sister used to be on UC and she used to have a Work Coach as she was LCW. I think she said she left a message or used report a change. Just to clarify they send you a prompt each April in to do list? I have 2 rent free weeks, 1 on Christmas week and one at beginning of April.

Kimi87

Living in social housing (this doesn't apply to private rental) means each April you'll have a To Do on your Journal to prompt you to add your new rent amount. UC will then confirm this amount with your landlord (again only applies to social housing).

When your rent free weeks are don't matter, UC will give you 12 equal Housing Element payments based on a 50 week rent liability amount.

Silver925

Thank You for the information. I understand how it works now. Thanks