Carlisle City Council > Advice and benefits > Benefits > Benefits Landlord Information > Confidentiality and what we can tell you about your tenants' claim

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Confidentiality and what we can tell you about your tenants' claim

Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Confidentiality and what we can tell you about your tenant's claim

A confidential relationship exists between the Council and the claimant.

The law states that we cannot give information to a landlord as this may breach the confidential nature of Housing Benefit. The Council cannot tell a landlord if a tenant has made a claim or is receiving benefit. This data is controlled by the Data Protection Act 2000. We can give you some information if payments are being made direct to you.

However, the Council appreciates your co-operation as it needs to be informed if, for example, a tenant is not paying rent. If Housing Benefit is being paid to a tenant it can be suspended and in some cases it may even be paid directly to you.

The Council must abide by the confidentiality ruling and unless Housing Benefit is being paid direct to you as landlord no information about a claim can be divulged to you without written permission from your tenant. Even where benefit is being paid direct to you, only limited information can be disclosed. Details concerning the personal circumstances of the claimant cannot be discussed under any circumstances.