Legislation is due this year which will mean that existing and new social tenants of working age(aged 16 to 64) will receive Housing Benefit based on size criteria in a similar manner to that already used in the private sector. It will apply to local authority, housing association or other registered social landlord tenants.
The size criteria allows one bedroom for each person or couple living as part of the household. Exceptions-
· Children under 16 of the same gender are expected to share
· Children under 10 are expected to share regardless of gender
· A disabled tenant or partner who needs a non-resident overnight carer will be allowed an extra room.
This means those tenants whose accommodation is larger than they need may lose part of their Housing Benefit. Reduction in Housing Benefit will be 14%(1 spare room) or 25% per cent(2 or more spare rooms).
See our Benefit Change and Welfare Reform course for training.