Gateshead Council has joined a new national pilot that gives it access to DWP’s secure customer information system – Searchlight - so it can work out how much benefit can be recovered through a Rent Repayment Order (RRO).

It’s the latest in a raft of local councils to join the pilot which is focused on improving the effectiveness of RROs. This helps them reclaim housing benefit or Universal Credit housing costs that have been paid to landlords who commit serious housing-related offences, such as renting out properties that don’t meet safety standards.

The scheme comes alongside expanded provisions under the Renters’ Rights Act allowing local authorities to seek Rent Repayment Orders for up to 24 months of rent - double the previous 12-month limit.

Designed

The initiative is designed to act as a strong deterrent to landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities, while making sure that public money is not used to subsidise unsafe or substandard accommodation, according to councillor Chris Buckley, cabinet member for housing (pictured).

“Everyone deserves a safe, decent place to live, and the vast majority of landlords in Gateshead do the right thing,” says Buckley. “This pilot gives us an important new tool to deal with the small number who don’t. By strengthening our ability to use Rent Repayment Orders, we can better protect tenants, hold rogue landlords to account, and recover public money that should never have been paid for poor-quality housing.”

Data

By improving data sharing between councils and the DWP, the pilot aims to make enforcement faster, fairer and more effective. If successful, it could lead to permanent access to Searchlight for councils across the country, making this approach part of routine housing enforcement and strengthening protections for private renters nationwide.

So far, the scheme has been expanded to 41 councils covering London, the North East, North West, Midlands, and the South West. The DWP reports that one of the trial areas – Camden – has used the data sharing to recover nearly £100,000 in housing support and make a fraud referral.

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