Housing Benefit

Do I have to repay overpaid Housing Benefit?

In cases where Housing Benefit has been paid to you and an overpayment of Housing Benefit has occurred you may be required to repay any overpaid Housing Benefit.

This applies where it is reasonable to expect you to repay the overpayment. For example, if a tenant leaves and does not inform the Council and Housing Benefit continues to be paid to you (as Housing Benefit is not payable for any period after your tenant has vacated).

Housing Benefit cannot be paid because your tenant has failed to give you notice that they were leaving, has not returned the keys or has left personal belongings in the accommodation.

Recovery of overpaid Housing Benefit is normally made from any future benefit paid direct to you (if benefit continues to be paid) or you will receive an invoice from the Council for the overpaid amount.

In certain instances recovery of an overpayment may be made from another of your tenant's benefit (to whom the overpayment does not actually relate). If this happens that tenant is deemed to have paid rent to you to the value of that recovery.

When an overpayment occurs and the payment has gone direct to you we will write and tell you:

• the amount of the overpayment
• the period that the overpayment covers
• the reason for the overpayment
• the tenant that the overpayment is in respect of.

If you have any queries regarding overpayments of Housing Benefit contact the Benefit Overpayment section on 01228 817228.