The Universal Credit Landlord Portal (UCLP) allows social landlords to verify a Universal Credit claimant’s rent, making the claim set-up process quicker and smoother for both the claimant and the landlord. The portal also provides improved protection against rent arrears, as registered social landlords can ask for rent to be paid directly to them, as well as directly request the recovery of arrears.

A six-week social media campaign launched yesterday which aims to give landlords a better understanding of Universal Credit and what it means to them.

Minister for family support, housing and child maintenance, Justin Tomlinson, said: “The Landlord Campaign aims to increase awareness of the ways landlords can support Universal Credit, and receive their payments in time. It’s fantastic we’ve signed up 538 registered landlords from the social rented sector already – the feedback we’ve had so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The campaign is spearheaded by partners in the sector and features real life case studies from landlords who explain in their own words their experience of working with the Department of Work and Pensions to support tenants who are claiming Universal Credit.”

There are currently 538 registered landlords from the social rented sector using the portal and they claim they are already seeing the benefits.

A spokesperson from social landlord Riverside said: “The Landlord Portal allows us to verify tenants rent and offer support to them early in the Universal Credit process.”