Final Universal Credit Rollout of the Spring

Since the start of the year, Universal Credit has been on a nationwide rollout. Today, the Government’s new welfare system finishes its rollout across the country for the spring.

We have been keeping landlords and tenants up to date on where the scheme is now in operation since January. For the previous postcode areas where Universal Credit is now in force, see our past article: /universal-credit-almost-end-rollout/

Universal Credit combines all benefit payments into one monthly payout. While this might work well for claimants, landlords are worried about their tenants falling into rent arrears, as recipients are now paid housing benefit directly.

If you are a landlord with housing benefit tenants, be aware that their financial circumstances will be changing (or may have changed already). It is important to communicate with your tenants about any changes to their finances. If you are worried about them falling into rent arrears, you can protect your rental income with Rent Guarantee Insurance.

As of today, Universal Credit is now in operation in the following postcode areas:

• AB30 of Aberdeen.
• CR0 0, CR0 1, CR0 3, CR0 5, CR0 6, CR0 7, CR0 8, CR0 9 and CR9 in Croydon.
• DD2 5, DD3 0, DD4 0, DD5 3, DD5 4, DD7, DD8, DD9, DD10 and DD11 in Dundee.
• FK14, FK15 0, FK15 9, FK19 and FK21 of Falkirk.
• KY4 0, KY5 0, KY6 3, KY13 and KY14 in Kirkcaldy.
• NE3 5, NE13 7 and NE18 of Newcastle upon Tyne.
• PH1, PH2, PH3, PH4, PH5, PH6, PH7, PH8, PH9, PH10, PH11, PH12, PH13, PH14, PH15, PH16, PH17, PH18 and PH33 9 of Perth.
• SE1 0, SE1 1, SE1 2, SE1 3, SE1 4, SE1 6, SE1 7, SE1 8, SE1 9, SE8 5, SE16 2, SE16 4, SE16 5, SE16 6, SE16 7, SE25 4 and SE25 5 in South Eastern London.
• SM1, SM2, SM3, SM4, SM5 1, SM5 3, SM5 4, SM5 9, SM6 0, SM6 6 and SM7 3 of Sutton.
• TW3 2, TW3 3, TW4 5, TW5 9, TW7 7, TW13 6, TW14 8 in Twickenham.

As Universal Credit continues its rollout in the summer, we will continue reporting on the areas that move onto the scheme.