Legal News
Local Authority tenants in arrears “rocket by nearly a quarter” in Wales (12 January 2015)
Date: 12/01/2015
A new report by the Wales Audit Office has revealed that the number of social housing tenants in arrears in Wales has “rocketed” by 23.3% since the cap on benefits and the bedroom tax were introduced.
Online publisher 24Dash.com reports that the report published on Thursday (08/01/15) also calls for councils and housing associations to do more for their tenants.
Auditor General for Wales, Huw Vaughan Thomas said:
“The welfare reform – and in particular, the changes to housing benefits – are having a significant impact on social housing providers and tenants in Wales.
“Councils and social housing providers need to work together more closely to find sustainable solutions that will mitigate the risks to tenants that are arising from these changes – and the further reforms which are due to be implemented.”
The report Managing the Impact of Welfare Reform Changes on Social Housing Tenants in Wales says that as a result of implementation the coalition government’s welfare reform programme, a greater proportion of tenants in social housing in Wales will be affected than those in England or Scotland.
As a result of the introduction of bedroom tax, an increased demand in the number of small social housing properties has also been created.
"Councils and housing associations have done little to increase their supply of smaller housing, either through building new properties or converting existing properties to make smaller homes,” the report states.
“Rent arrears of current social housing tenants in Wales have also increased – the number of tenants in arrears went up by 23.3% in the first six months following introduction of the spare room subsidy and benefit cap.”
Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors
Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid housing solicitors and can advise social housing tenants and rental tenants on a wide range of housing matters and housing law, including:
• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlord & Tenant disputes
• Local Authority housing
• Unlawful eviction.
For expert legal advice on housing matters, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.