Whitehall's decision to pilot housing benefit direct-payments to landlords would help minimise risks for tenants in the lead-up to the introduction of Universal Credit, sector voices have claimed.

The Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) six demonstration projects will test how to support tenants through budgeting advice and protect landlords through a mechanism to switch payments back if tenants fall behind with rent. Under the scheme elderly and vulnerable claimants would continue to have their rents paid by the local authorities.