Under occupancy
The Government has introduced size limit rules for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs for working age people renting from the Council, a registered housing association or other registered social landlord.
The new rules will restrict the size of accommodation you can receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs for, based on the number of people in your household.
How it affects you
If you are under occupying, there will be a reduction in your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. The amount allowed for rent and any service charges will be reduced by
- 14% for under occupancy by one bedroom
- 25% for under occupancy by two bedrooms or more.
Help to cover the reduction
You may be able to get a Discretionary Housing Payment to make up all or some of the reduction. We can only award the payment if you already get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit which covers housing costs.