The landlord should receive the rent straight to his account the tenant should not receive it, because of people not paying there landlord it makes it harder for people like myself to get a private rented property that is why i have been living in a 2man tent for the past 17days.
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@Jay36 sorry to hear your difficulties. Shelter may be able to help.
Many LLs would agree. Sadly the government doesn’t (see below) and the default is that tenants with a low income are expected to pass it on but there is no penalty if they don’t and its hard to arrange. What that means is some tenants don’t (for whatever reason), the LL carries the risk and will never get the unpaid rent back and eventually has to evict them. They then add to pressure on councils or will become homeless.
Write to your MP and explain it’s unfair on all the good tenants as well as the LLs.
Good luck
"To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of protections for private landlords where Universal Credit housing costs have been paid to tenants but the rent has not subsequently been paid to the landlord.
Answered on
15 July 2026
The default position in Universal Credit is that claimants should manage their own finances, including payment of their rent. This encourages self-reliance and eases the transition back into work.
Where a claimant is vulnerable or if they get into arrears, rent payments may be sent direct to their landlord, on their behalf. Decisions related to direct payments of rent must be based upon the claimant’s best interests.
Tenants remain responsible for their rental liabilities, even where payment goes straight to their landlord."