Guides › Public Services › Landlord Asking DWP to Take Rent Arrears From Your Universal Credit
Landlord Asking DWP to Take Rent Arrears from Your Universal Credit
Your landlord can ask DWP to take money from your Universal Credit to pay rent and service charge arrears. You have 7 days to object after the request. You can object if you have a repairs dispute with your landlord, your arrears are less than 2 months' rent, or you do not owe anything. After objecting you have a further 7 days to send evidence, and payments stop until DWP decides.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Objecting to the Deduction
Time Limit
You have 7 days to object after your landlord's request. If you do not respond, the deduction may still go ahead. source
Grounds
You can object if there is a repairs dispute with your landlord, the arrears are less than 2 months' rent and service charges, or you do not owe any arrears. source
Evidence
After you object you have a further 7 days to give evidence. Payments to the landlord stop until a decision is made. Rent books and rent or service charge statements or invoices are the usual evidence; bank statements are not usually accepted. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 7 daysObject to the requestFrom your landlord's request
- 7 daysSend your evidenceAfter you object
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check your journal for the message about your landlord's request.
Step 2 of 5
Object within 7 days, giving your reason.
Step 3 of 5
Gather rent statements, rent books and repair records.
Step 4 of 5
Send evidence within the next 7 days.
Step 5 of 5
Get housing advice if your landlord is threatening eviction.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Universal Credit Journal
Sign in to your account and write to DWP. It gives you a dated record.
Shelter or Citizens Advice
Free advice on rent arrears and repairs disputes.
Citizens Advice
Free, independent help with benefits, including challenges and appeals.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
A repairs dispute is a ground to object, so keep your repair reports and photos.
Rules here are for England and Wales. Scotland has its own disability and carer benefits from Social Security Scotland, and Northern Ireland benefits are run through nidirect.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-debt-and-deductions-that-can-be-taken-from-payments Checked 15 October 2026