Rent arrears and LCWRA

spacecadet

Hello everyone,

I would really appreciate your input.

I was in rent arrears when and these were under control by a managed payment every month.

Unfortunately I fell ill in 2018 and it took me a year and a half to get my rightful benefits sorted out.

During my illness I took advice from CAB and registered myself bankrupt as I had other debts too.

I was then put into a LCWRA group and was awarded a back payment.

I thought my owed rent would be cleared, I went bankrupt in Nov 2018

I was then surprised that UC decided to pay my landlord £1,209.16 of my awarded money in May 2019

I have been trying to get to the bottom of this since then.

This is causing me additional stress and wonder if anyone can advice please?

It would-be greatly appreciated

Kind regards

Jacqueline

Cher_Scope

Hi @spacecadet

I'm sorry you are going through stress related to your universal credit back payment.  I've moved your post over to our Universal Credit board so people can advise you on what might be happening.

Good luck and I hope you get some answers.

janer1967

Hi @spacecadet Welcome on board, I am sorry I dont know the answer to your query but hope other members may help

You could always ask CAB again or maybe a bankrupt specialist as I am not aware of what debts are still repayable after declaring bankrupt

It really is a query that needs to be addressed by a expert

Good luck and keep us updated

spacecadet

Thank you

poppy123456

HI,

Was the arrears included oin the bankruptcy? Even if it was i believe the landlord can still chase you for the money that's owed. Not really something to discuss on an internet forum and you should get expert advice regarding this.

Some information here in this link. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/debt-solutions/bankruptcy-2/after-you-go-bankrupt/creditors-still-chasing-you-after-you-go-bankrupt/

mikehughescq

Ah the joys of UC and third party deductions. Start here https://gmwrag.wordpress.com/2020/07/24/uc-deductions-presentations-from-the-gmwrag-gm-uc-meeting-now-available/

Basically there are 3 issues:

1 - If you go bankrupt with rent arrears then they are, or ought to be, included in the bankruptcy. However, the landlord won’t have got their money so they still have the potential to evict or chase their money.

2 - Bearing that in mind any order for payment could be brought to the attention of DWP then a request for a third party deduction could be made and that’s why DWP pay the money across. You don’t really have a leg to stand on there except for the fact there was previously a payment plan. 

3 - There is a significant issue with UC often taking more than 3rd parties would actually want them to take. That’s certainly been true of both water and rent arrears.

So, I’m not sure you’ve room for manoeuvre here but you have nothing to lose from seeking further advice from a debt adviser/welfare rights officer as to your options.

spacecadet

Thank you everyone! Much appreciated. x