Conservatives call for housing benefit system to be scrapped

The Tories have today called for the current housing benefits system to be scrapped. The current system in England that pays the benefit to the tenant rather than the landlord has been the subject of widespread criticism since it was introduced in 2008.

According to a recent survey by Shelter 25% of tenants receiving housing benefit direct have fallen into arrears.

Many landlords have stopped offering their properties to housing benefit tenants due to the problems they have encountered with the system of payments direct to tenants.

The Conservatives have now announced that they will allow the tenant to choose to have the payments paid to themselves or the landlord and have called on the Government to change the system now.

Scottish Government to introduce tenant deposit scheme

The Scottish Government has announced plans to introduce a national scheme to safeguard tenant deposits.

A group representing tenants, landlords, agents, consumer groups and housing organisations will be advising ministers on the introduction of the scheme.

Housing and Communities Minister, Alex Neil, says it was time to protect tenants. He also promised strong action to protect students and vunerable tenants.

England and Wales launched a similiar scheme in 2007 but a recent survey by deposit provider DPS claimed that 1 in 3 landlords were ignoring the law.