The bedroom tax: what it is and how it affects social housing tenants

The "bedroom tax", officially called the removal of the spare room subsidy, reduces Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs for social housing tenants who are deemed to have more bedrooms than they need. Here is how the bedroom tax works, who it affects, and what exceptions apply.

What is the bedroom tax?

The bedroom tax is a reduction in Housing Benefit (or the housing element of Universal Credit) applied to social housing tenants who have one or more spare bedrooms according to the government's rules. It was introduced in April 2013 and continues to apply.

The reduction is:

• 14% of the Housing Benefit or housing element if you have one spare bedroom
• 25% if you have two or more spare bedrooms

So if you receive £80 per week in housing support and are deemed to have one spare bedroom, your support is reduced by £11.20 per week, which you would need to cover from other income or benefits.

Who does the bedroom tax affect?

The bedroom tax affects social housing tenants of working age who receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. It does not apply to:

• People who are of pension age (above the qualifying age for Pension Credit)
• People in temporary or supported accommodation
• People in certain types of exempt accommodation

How is the number of bedrooms calculated?

The government's rules allow one bedroom for:

• Each adult couple in the household
• Each single adult aged 16 or over
• Two children of the same sex under 16
• Two children under 10 (regardless of sex)
• Each single child where children of different sexes or ages would be in separate bedrooms

If you have more bedrooms in your home than this calculation allows, the excess is a "spare bedroom" and your benefit is reduced accordingly.

What if I need a spare bedroom for medical reasons?

There are some exceptions and discretionary routes. If you or a family member has a disability or medical condition that means you need an extra bedroom, for example, a carer who stays overnight, or a disabled child who cannot share a room, this may be taken into account. However, this is not an automatic exemption, you usually need to request a medical assessment.

Some councils will also consider requests for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) to cover the shortfall caused by the bedroom tax, particularly where the circumstances make it very difficult for the household to move to a smaller property.

What if I want to move to avoid the bedroom tax?

If you are affected by the bedroom tax, you may want to move to a smaller property that matches your bedroom entitlement. In practice, this is often difficult because suitable smaller social housing properties may not be available. Some councils have mutual exchange schemes that help social tenants swap properties.

Does the bedroom tax apply to private tenants?

No. The bedroom tax specifically applies to social housing (council and housing association) tenants. Private tenants are subject to different rules, the Local Housing Allowance limits, which cap the housing support private tenants can receive based on the size of property their household is entitled to.

Does the bedroom tax affect a housing disrepair claim?

The bedroom tax and housing disrepair are separate issues. A housing disrepair claim is about the physical condition of your rented home, not the bedroom tax. However, if you are a social housing tenant with disrepair in your home, you may have legal rights against your social landlord, just as private tenants do.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

Support for Tenants primarily helps private tenants with housing disrepair claims. If you are a private tenant with disrepair that your landlord has not fixed, call us.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Welfare Reform Act 2012 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Housing Benefit (GOV.UK)

Related articles

• Discretionary housing payments, what they are and how to apply