Your housing benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare bedroom. The reduction is:
- 14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom
- 25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms
Example
Your eligible rent is £100 per week, but you have 1 spare bedroom. That means your eligible rent is reduced by 14%, to £86 per week. Your housing benefit will be calculated using that figure.
Sharing bedrooms
The following are expected to share:
- an adult couple
- 2 children under 16 of the same sex
- 2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)
- The following can have their own bedroom:
- a single adult (16 or over)
- a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share
- a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition
- an overnight carer for you, your partner, your child or another adult - this is only if the carer does not live with you but sometimes has to stay overnight
One spare bedroom is allowed for:
- an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement
- a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time
Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces will not be counted as ‘spare’ if they’re away and intend to return home.
If you have spare bedrooms
If you live in a property that has more bedrooms than you need, you may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This could give you some time to explore options such as downsizing or increasing your income.
Living in a property that is too big will mean you also pay more for utilities, standing charges and council tax. If you want to move to a property which is a better fit for your household, you could see if you are eligible for social housing. For more information, visit BFC My Choice.