LANDLORDS are being urged to attend a housing benefit forum later this month.

Kirklees Council has organised 7pm meetings at Dewsbury Town Hall on February 26 and at Huddersfield Town Hall on the 28th to explain changes to the housing benefit scheme.

Questions will be answered on how the new Local Housing Allowance programme will affect landlords renting their properties to private tenants who are receiving housing benefits.

The scheme will be applicable from April this year.

It will make it easier for both landlords and tenants to work out how much housing benefit they are eligible to receive.

It will also set new rules for when the council can make payments of benefit directly to the landlord.

Clr David Hall, Kirklees Council’s Cabinet member for revenues and benefits, said: “The Government is introducing some major changes to the housing benefits scheme which will affect anyone making a new claim for benefit from April 2008.

He said: “While we are producing a leaflet to explain the changes, we know landlords will have a specific interest.

“This is their opportunity to find out about the changes and discuss how it will work with the staff administering the benefits scheme.”

Any landlord wanting further information about the forum meetings should contact Sue Rourke from Kirklees Revenues and Benefits in working hours on 01484 414731 or email sue.rourke@kirklees.gov.uk