Landlord’s Association for Northern Ireland (LANI) DoF LPS Landlord’s Association for Northern Ireland (LANI) Update – 17th May 2017 Administered by

Introductions Rate Rebate Graham Miller – Rate Rebate Programme Manager - graham.miller@finance-ni.gov.uk/02890 336960 Lorraine Kane – Central Collection & Landlords Manager - lorraine.kane@finance-ni.gov.uk/02890 336376 Bernie Magennis – Rate Rebate Communications & Engagement - bernie.magennis@finance-ni.gov.uk/02890 336961 Jim Maguire – Rate Rebate Communications & Engagement - jim.maguire@finance-ni.gov.uk/02890 336962 Rating Policy Division – ratingpolicy.cfg@finance-ni.gov.uk

Collection of Rates from Landlord Sector Legislation Rates Order 1977 Liability for rates determined by either Article 20 or Article 21 of the Rate Order 1977 Article 20 is mandatory and applies to Landlords where their property is below a Capital Value of £150,000. It only applies to those periods where the property is occupied Under Article 21 Landlords may enter into a voluntary arrangement to pay rates regardless of capital value of the property

Collection of Rates from Landlord Sector Legislation Liability and Allowances Owner always liable for House in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) – HMO is defined as a property which is let to three or more Tenants who form two or more households i.e. Students Both pay a 10% allowance, but must pay in full by the end of September of each year Allowance reflects the cost to the Landlord of administering and collecting rates on behalf of the Department

Collection of Rates from Landlord Sector

Collection of Rates from Landlord Sector

Rate Rebate Scheme Overview

Rate Rebate – How to Apply Universal Credit/Rate Rebate Timescales Transition Phase (Fresh Claims) September 2017 – September 2018 Contingency Phase December 2018 – June 2019 Managed Migration Phase September 2019 – March 2022

Rate Rebate – Eligibility Eligibility Criteria Must be entitled to Universal Credit Claimant or Landlord must be liable for payment of rates to LPS Must occupy the property as their home Claimant or their partner must not be entitled to Housing Benefit Who is Not Eligible? People living in supported accommodation and pensioners are excluded from the Rate Rebate Scheme and will remain on Housing Benefit/Low Income Rate Relief. Working age customers who move to Universal Credit and who are only entitled to the Transitional Protection element of Universal Credit.

Rate Rebate – Digital Assistance DoF Rate Rebate Scheme Digital First Applications for Rate Rebate will be via Digital Channels only Digital Assistance (including support via telephone)

Rate Rebate – How to Apply Rate Rebate Application Process: To claim Rate Rebate claimant needs to register online https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rate-rebate-scheme Using their email address they will be prompted to create a password A verification email will be sent to complete the registration and they will then be able to submit the online application If awarded Rate Rebate they will be able to view this online and notify any changes in circumstances that may affect the award

Rate Rebate – How to Apply Information which must be provided by Applicant: Date of Birth National Insurance Number Details of Landlord

Tenant Registration on Portal

Tenant Application

Landlord Registration

Landlord Portal

Certificate of Occupation (CoO) Rate Rebate Certificate of Occupation (CoO) Completion of Certificate of Occupation A CoO will be required for every claimant in rented accommodation A Landlord portal will be available to facilitate the completion of the CoO An email will issue to the Landlord asking them to complete CoOs for their Tenants, as and when required The Landlord must complete the CoO before a claim can be calculated

Rate Rebate – Award for Tenants Rate Rebate will be calculated using information obtained from Universal Credit by LPS The award will be credited to the rate account on a monthly basis

Change of Circumstances (CoC) Rate Rebate Change of Circumstances (CoC) Reporting a Change of Circumstance The following occupancy/tenancy related CoCs may impact entitlement to Rate Rebate: - moving to a different property - % rates liability - death The Landlord has a responsibility to report such changes to LPS A CoC mechanism will be offered via the Landlord portal

Financial Arrangements Rate Rebate Financial Arrangements Payments/Awards - Private Landlord Payments will be credited to the appropriate LPS rate account (Credit will normally go to the Landlord account, however where the Tenant is the named Ratepayer the credit will go to the Tenant rate account) Payment will be made on a monthly basis at the end of each month First payment will include any arrears due from the previous month A separate monthly schedule will detail all payments line by line Details on schedule will include claimant name, claim number, address, payment period and amount

Financial Arrangements Rate Rebate Financial Arrangements RSS Department of Finance Land & Property Services 14-MAR-2017 11:34 RBE321 Page 1 Landlord Schedule for Mr R O'HANLON Landlord Reference : 1220 PAYMENTS,UNDERPAYMENTS AND OVERPAYMENTS Claimant Details Claim Ref Claimant Name Address Occupancy ID Posting ID Type Amount(£) Start End 1106 TENANT7 14, 261634 989 PAYMENT 36.34 01JAN2017 31JAN2017 QUAY ST, NEWRY, BT34 2DJ

DoF Rate Rebate Scheme Questions?