💷 Universal Credit (UC) and Your Rent

Universal Credit is paid once a month.

Sometimes, the part that helps with rent (called the housing element) goes straight to Tendring District Council.
But this doesn’t happen for everyone.

🕒 UC pays rent after it’s due

This is called paying in arrears.
UC only pays for 4 weeks of rent, not a full month.

You can use your monthly rent letter to check if UC is paying enough to cover your rent and service charge.

❓ Why might UC pay less than your rent?

• You have a job – this can make your UC smaller
• Your wages change – UC can go up or down
• You’re paid every 4 weeks, not monthly – this affects UC
• You have spare bedrooms – this is called bedroom tax:
  • 14% less if you have 1 spare room
  • 25% less if you have 2 or more spare rooms
• Someone moves in or out of your home – you must tell:
  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Rents Team at Tendring District Council