Repaying overpayments
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.