Maximise Housing Benefit lawfully without putting your service at risk.

A compliance membership for supported housing providers who want stronger Housing Benefit outcomes, fewer disputes with councils, and protection from “rogue provider” enforcement.

No long contracts. Practical, legally-grounded guidance you can actually use.

Who this membership is for

SupportedHousingCompliance.com is designed for organisations that:

  • Provide supported or exempt accommodation (charities, CICs, RPs, faith-based, voluntary sector).
  • Are responsible for setting rents, claiming Housing Benefit and satisfying councils that the support they provide is more than minimal.
  • Are worried about council scrutiny, SHIP / gateway schemes, or “rogue provider” labelling.
  • Want to improve HB income and stability without cutting corners or risking enforcement action.

It’s particularly useful if you:

  • Don’t have an in-house HB/SEA specialist.
  • Are tired of reacting to each new council demand from scratch.
  • Want to give your trustees, directors and managers confidence that the service is compliant and sustainable.

The reality: higher rents and “exempt” status attract attention

Supported housing rents are under pressure. Councils, auditors and improvement programmes are all asking more questions:

  • “Is this really exempt accommodation?”
  • “Is the support more than minimal?”
  • “Is this rent unreasonably high compared to other local providers?”
  • “Why are we paying these service charges?”
  • Rents can be restricted or underpaid if unanswered.
  • You can be treated as if you’re on Local Housing Allowance.
  • Your organisation may be labelled a rogue provider risk.

If you can’t answer those questions clearly and lawfully, rents can be restricted or underpaid, you can be treated as if you’re on Local Housing Allowance, and your organisation can be viewed as a “rogue provider” risk even when your intention is to deliver good support.

Most providers are stuck between trying to maximise HB to keep services viable and not wanting to trigger enforcement, reputational damage or sudden funding holes. That’s the gap this membership is designed to fill.

A standing HB and compliance strategy, not another one-off course

The Supported Housing Compliance Membership gives you ongoing, legally-grounded guidance plus practical tools to strengthen income and defend rents under scrutiny.

1. Maximise Housing Benefit lawfully

  • Structure rents and service charges in a way that stands up to scrutiny.
  • Understand what councils can and can’t do when restricting rents or changing status.
  • Use well-argued letters and appeals when decisions are wrong.

2. Reduce compliance and “rogue provider” risk

  • Demonstrate that you meet the landlord and support criteria for exempt accommodation.
  • Respond properly to Reg 86 information requests and overreaching SHIP / gateway schemes.
  • Show your board, commissioners and regulators a clear compliance framework.

What you get inside the membership

Every month, members receive:

  • A new video briefing (20–40 minutes)
    A focused update or deep dive on a live issue – for example: SEA status, HB decisions, registration schemes, information requests, appeals, or emerging case law.
  • A practical tool, template or checklist
    Ready-to-adapt documents such as sample letters to councils (Reg 86 responses, miscalculated HB, SHIP overreach), evidence checklists for exempt status and support, and internal briefing notes for managers and boards.
  • Access to the growing content library
    All previous briefings and tools stored by topic so new members can catch up in their own time.
  • Implementation notes
    Short written guidance on how to explain and use each tool with staff, boards and advisers.
  • Optional Q&A / case clinic sessions
    Available when capacity allows — added later based on member demand.

How the membership works

1. Join online

Set up your subscription securely by card via Stripe or PayPal. You’ll receive an email with your login details for the members’ area.

2. Access the library and start with the essentials

Begin with core modules on SEA status, care, support and supervision, and HB decision-making. Download templates relevant to your current issues.

3. Stay up to date every month

Watch the monthly briefing, implement the new tools, and use the library when councils or auditors raise new questions. Everything is on-demand.

Who’s behind SupportedHousingCompliance.com?

SupportedHousingCompliance.com is led by Revd Leonard Payne, a specialist in supported exempt accommodation law, Housing Benefit regulations for supported and exempt schemes, and regulatory/compliance strategy for providers under council and audit pressure.

  • Advised and trained local authority HB teams and supported housing providers across the UK.
  • Worked on appeals, tribunal preparations and complex HB disputes related to exempt status, rent levels and information requests.
  • Developed practical tools and trackers for HB claims, exempt accommodation evidence and tribunal bundles.

The membership distils this work into structured briefings and tools providers can use without commissioning a full consultancy project.

Founding member pricing

For the initial launch, a limited number of organisations can join as Founding Members. Founding Member rate: £49 per month — locked in for as long as you remain a member.

Founding Members receive:

  • Full access to all current and future modules and tools.
  • The ability to suggest topics for future briefings based on live issues with councils and regulators.
  • Founding recognition (internal only — you decide how visible this is).

Standard pricing for new members will increase once the library and community grow.

Frequently asked questions

Is this membership legal advice?

No. The membership provides general information, training and templates based on Housing Benefit regulations and established practice. It is not a substitute for formal legal advice on individual cases; use materials to brief your own advisers.

Will you handle our individual HB cases or appeals?

The membership equips you to handle most issues in-house. Bespoke support for a specific case would be a separate engagement and can be discussed if needed.

How is the content delivered?

All briefings and tools are delivered through a secure online members’ area. You can watch videos, download templates and revisit modules whenever you wish.

Can more than one person in our organisation use the membership?

Yes. A single organisational membership can be used by multiple managers, board members and staff. For groups of related organisations we can agree a separate arrangement.

What if the law or guidance changes?

Membership is ongoing so monthly briefings and tools will respond to relevant changes in regulations and practice — you won’t be relying on a static training.

How do we cancel if it’s not for us?

You can cancel your subscription at any time. Access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Build a supported housing service that is both compliant and financially sustainable

You don’t need another one-off training day that everyone forgets after three months. You need a standing, practical source of HB and compliance guidance that helps you maximise Housing Benefit lawfully, demonstrate proper oversight and protect your organisation from avoidable risk.

  • Maximise Housing Benefit lawfully.
  • Demonstrate proper oversight and support.
  • Protect your organisation from avoidable risk.