Bedroom tax

In 2013 the Government introduced a change to housing benefit called bedroom tax.

The Government introduced size limit rules into Housing Benefit for working age people renting from a local authority, a registered housing association or other registered social landlord

Bedroom tax restricts the size of accommodation you receive Housing Benefit for based on the number of people in your household.

The rules allow one bedroom for:

• every adult couple (married or unmarried)
• any other adult aged 16 or over
• any two children of the same sex aged under 16
• any two children aged under 10
• any other child, (other than a foster child or child whose main home is elsewhere)
• a carer (or team of carers) who do not live with you but provide you or your partner with
• overnight care

How this might affect you

If you are assessed under these rules as having more bedrooms than are necessary for your
household you are considered to be under-occupying that property.

If you are under-occupying there is a reduction in your Housing Benefit. The amount allowed for rent and any service charges is reduced by:

• 14% for under-occupancy by one bedroom
• 25% for under-occupancy by two bedrooms or more

The reduction is not by 14% or 25% of your Housing Benefit, it is by 14% or 25% of your rent each week.

You may be able to get a discretionary housing payment to make up all or some of the reduction. 

More information

The Revenues and Benefit team can advise you on how the changes affect you, and what help is available through discretionary housing payments.

The Housing team can advise you on your options for looking for a smaller home.

Help and advice

Free independent advice is available from Citizens Advice Bureau Surrey Heath (external website). You can call their advice line on 0808 278 7936.

Your landlord should be able to tell you how this affect you and give you advice on services to manage the changes or options for moving to a smaller home.