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Universal Credit is a payment which is replacing six legacy benefits, and these are: Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Working Tax Credit.

This week, the final episode of the BBC2’s "Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State" aired. Amid mounting criticism, DWP opened the door to BBC cameras. Among the various topics on the final episode, the problems associated with advance payments took centre stage. The final episode took place in Bolton, which has unusually high levels of unemployment for people aged between 17 and 24. Around 500 people move onto Universal Credit every month.

Payments to those in receipt of Universal Credit vary from person to person to take into account individual circumstances which affect them. However, what many do not realise is that the slightest error cannot only impact a claimant financially, but cause difficulties later down the line. Therefore, it is important that if a claimant’s circumstances change at any point they inform Department for Work and Pensions as soon as possible.

Caridon Landlord Solutions (CLS) is a dedicated consultancy service specialising in Housing Benefit and Universal Credit advice for private landlords and housing associations. On the back of their recognition in SME News Magazine’s 2019 Business Elite programme, we spoke with Sherrelle Collman, Commercial Business Director for the firm, to find out more about their expertise in this important area of the property sector.