The new figures for takeup of means-tested benefits show an interesting trend. Takeup is falling, and the initial impression given is that there has been a slow, marginal fall in in takeup overall. However, the fall is not the same across the board. The takeup that has most clearly fallen relates to the housing costs of private tenants. It seems unlikely that this is driven by increasing ignorance about benefits, and that tends to suggest that something is happening in the private rented market – most likely, that landlords are restricting access for claimants.