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<p>It is not clear whether the questions relate to the Local Authority as the provider
of housing or as the administrator of Housing Benefit and Council Tax. This answer
therefore responds on both counts.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Local Authority as landlord:</strong></p><p>
</p><p>The Local Authority use the ‘Landlord Portal’ to provide details of a claimant’s
rent and tenancy details. When the information provided does not match what the claimant
has given, the claimant will then be able to accept or reject the information uploaded
by the Local Authority by logging into their Universal Credit account.</p><p> </p><p>If
the claimant accepts the information provided by the Local Authority no further action
is required. If the Local Authority has provided information that is rejected by the
claimant, the claimant is advised to make contact to resolve this. This could require
a subsequent housing declaration to be provided. The ‘Landlord Portal’ has a summary
screen that allows the Local Authority to confirm or change the information they are
about to provide before it has been submitted.</p><p> </p><p>This process applies
whenever there is a rent change, including annual uprating of rent. The Landlord Portal
is the streamlined communication tool which allows the Local Authority to disclose
the rent thus highlighting errors in the claimants Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Local
Authority as administrator of Housing Benefit and Council Tax:</strong></p><p> </p><p>Once
a claim to Universal Credit has been made, the Local Authority will receive a notification
if the claimant is in receipt of Housing Benefit. This will inform the Local Authority
of the claim to Universal Credit so they can take the action to close the Housing
Benefit claim where needed. The Local Authority will inform Universal Credit of the
action they have taken and if there is any payment to be offset within the first assessment
period.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, during the Universal Credit claim process, the
claimant will be asked if their name is on the council tax bill. If the claimant answers
‘yes’, they are asked if they have applied for a reduction in their council tax. If
the claimant answers that they have applied or will apply for a Council Tax Reduction,
their details will be shared with the Local Authority. This is a one-way communication
which allows for the Local Authority to take the appropriate action regarding an application
for a Council Tax Reduction.</p>
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