LANDLORDS in Hampshire are claiming millions of pounds in housing benefits, according to new figures, James Franklin writes.

Research by the GMB union show the top 20 landlords in Hampshire received £3.1 million in housing benefits over the space of one year, with Southampton's top 20 getting more than £1.2 million.

Disability charity the Enham Trust received the most money in southern and central Hampshire, according to the figures, being directly paid more than £500,000 in taxpayers' cash in 2013/14 which the charity said was put straight back into its services.

The landlords, which include charities and trusts as well as private businessmen and companies, directly receive benefits for their tenants from the Government's £23.7 billion housing benefit budget.

Winchester Housing Trust and Winchester Churches Nightshelter were among Hampshire's 20 highest earners in 2013/14, receiving £72,744 and £71.758 respectively.

The GMB union, which compiled the data from Freedom of Information requests, says more than £9 billion of that budget went to private landlords in 2013/14, with the rest going to tenants, housing associations and charities.

The union has been critical of “millionaire landlords” receiving taxpayers' cash, but the list of the top recipients in Hampshire is dotted with charities and trusts who receive it on behalf of their clients.

A spokesman for the Enham Trust said: “The Enham Trust supports our clients, many of whom have a disability, to live the life they choose.

“As a charity all monies we receive are invested back into the organisation to ensure that disabled people can become socially and economically independent.”

A spokesman for Two Saints said the organisation should not have been included on the list as it is a housing association as opposed to a private landlord.

Simon Mason, owner of David Seymour Associates, said his firm is a managing agent, adding: “The housing benefits are paid to us but we then pay them to the third party who is usually the landlord or owner of the property.“We're all here to help people, there isn't a great deal of accommodation being built to help these people.”

Mr Chhatwal was not available for comment when the Chronicle attempted to contact him.

Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, said “We see taxpayers' cash subsidising buy-to-let empires with £9.2 billion of hard earned taxpayer's cash paid into private landlords' bank accounts - much of it ending up in tax havens.

“The abuse of housing benefit by private landlords has gone on for too long. Millionaires take sackloads of cash for exploiting those in housing need or stuck on low pay.”

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "The reason so much is paid in housing benefit to private landlords is that house prices are too expensive, the result of planning restrictions that have strangled the supply we so desperately need. It's also crucial that we flatten housing benefit in the most expensive areas, so that individuals living in expensive Council properties do not cost taxpayers over-the-odds.

“Ultimately, building more houses, resulting in lower property prices, is the best way to fix this - cutting taxes and housing benefits would, though, be a welcome first step."

Top 20 landlords who received most housing benefit in 2013/14 in southern and central Hampshire (Figures from GMB union)

1: Enham Trust, Test Valley, £528,311

2: David Seymour Associates, Gosport, £433,549

3: Mr Chhatwal (CORR), Southampton, £246,559

4: Two Saints Ltd, Test Valley, £222,3395:

5: Mrs Davis, Southampton, £201,626

6: Brite-Move, Gosport, £200,116

7: Crisis and Support Centre, Test Valley, £170,047

8: Chapter1 Charity Ltd, Test Valley, £141,206

9: Alabare Christian Care Centres, Test Valley, £132,428

10: Andover and District Mencap, Test Valley, £127,085

11: Mr Rai, Southampton, £121,748

12: Jamba Estates Ltd, Southampton, £109,686

13: Winchester Housing Trust, Winchester, £72,744

14: Winchester Churches Nightshelter, £71,758

15: Mr Sohal, Southampton, £68,678

16: Golden Lane Housing, New Forest, £67,275

17: Glossop Caravans Ltd, New Forest, £57,063

18: Mr Rai, Southampton, £55,787

19: Minstead Training Project Ltd, New Forest, £53,545

20: Mr Vashisht, Southampton, £51,509