I appreciate your concerns about the accessibility of private rented housing for those claiming Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
I firmly believe that refusing to consider someone as a prospective tenant simply because they are in receipt on benefits is wholly unacceptable. Such blanket bans have no place in a fair and modern housing market. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has committed to bringing forward legislation at the earliest opportunity which would make it illegal for landlords or agents to have blanket bans on renting to those in receipt of benefits.
This builds on wider action to make it easier for those on Housing Benefit to access the sector and make such rentals more secure for landlords. Currently, people receiving Housing Benefit and Universal Credit can arrange for their rent to be paid directly to their landlord. The Government has committed to help ensure that those who are unable to manage their rent payments can arrange these direct payments more easily.
The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities are working together to understand the best use of financial measures and existing powers to support tenants and prevent landlords from abusing the benefit system. I am aware that the Government has worked with industry and major lenders to remove restrictions on mortgages preventing landlords from letting to tenants on benefits.
It is a legal requirement for letting and managing agents in England to belong to one of the two Government-approved redress schemes. If a prospective tenant feels that a letting agent is acting unfairly or continues to offer a poor service, they can raise a formal complaint.