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It’s a substantial Tory government for the next five years: what does this mean for estate agents, property and the market? Estate Agent Today have assembled 11 of the industry’s leading figures to give their views on the new government’s pledges over stamp duty, agency reform, house building and much more.

For generations governments have sought to simplify the benefits system. Universal Credit was the latest attempt, which was supposed to make life better for claimants, but the system has been heavily criticised for a catalogue of errors.

Universal Credit is paid on a monthly basis, after the initial payment. The date for when it is paid is changing for some people during December, due to the Christmas holidays.

Rarely does a week go by when the media doesn’t contain a story relating to Universal Credit and the impact it is having on claimants and landlords alike. It can be difficult to cut through the noise and know exactly what the truth is. Then, just last week, the media reported that the Labour Party, should they come into power, plans to scrap Universal Credit altogether.

Landlords and tenants who do not understand the implications of coordinating the Benefit Assessment Period (BAP) of Universal Credit with the dates of their tenancy agreement are, in some cases, missing out on nearly a whole month rent, according to Caridon Landlord Solutions (CLS). CLS is calling on new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to review the process and make necessary changes.

Harrogate is the first area in Britain to trial a major new phase of Universal Credit. Up to 3,000 existing benefit claimants in the Yorkshire spa town are being moved to the six-in-one system starting this month, in the first test of “managed migration”.