Landlords in west Suffolk are being encouraged to sign up for a free forum about Universal Credit and the support that exists for them and their tenants.

The West Suffolk Landlords Forum will discuss some of the urban myths and misunderstandings around the new benefit system when it meets this month.

Sara Mildmay-White, west Suffolk councils cabinet member for housing, said: “Universal Credit can easily apply to a landlord’s existing tenants and any number of changing circumstances that may occur in their lives.

“It applies to a couple starting a family, or to some one who loses their job or people going through a period of poor health. It doesn’t indicate an unwillingness or inability to pay.

“The Department of Work and Pensions has now introduced Universal Credit across west Suffolk. The last thing any of us want is tenants being evicted from their homes and more people living in temporary accommodation, which is why we are so keen to work with our local landlords.

“The West Suffolk Landlords Forum is the perfect place for landlords to raise and discuss any issues or concerns and for us to highlight the various support that we and our partners can offer.”

The meeting will take place on January 30, from 4pm-6pm, at West Suffolk House in Bury St Edmunds.

The West Suffolk Landlords Forum meets four times a year with the subjects for discussion decided by the landlords themselves.

The event is organised and hosted by west Suffolk councils. To book a place, email landlords@westsuffolk.gov.uk