Housing Benefit
How many bedrooms do I need?
The size criteria:
One bedroom is allowed for each of the following occupiers:
One bedroom for:
- Each couple
- Each person aged 16 or over
- Two children under 16 of the same sex
- Two children under the age of 10 of the same or opposite sex
- Each other child
One or more additional bedrooms can be allowed for a foster parent, a non-resident overnight carer, a disabled child who needs their own bedroom up to a maximum of four bedrooms. To be entitled to an additional bedroom you will need to meet the qualifying criteria, please contact the office for further advice.
For single tenants under 35 years old there will be a 'shared' rate of LHA that replaces the single room rent. This rate will also apply to single people over 35 and couples with no other occupiers who choose to live in shared accommodation.
Some single tenants may be exempt from the ‘shared' LHA rate, for example if they qualify for a severe disability premium in the assessment of their Housing Benefit, Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance.
There are no changes to the housing benefit entitlement rules, this is still based on the person's individual circumstances. The LHA rate is only the starting point of the calculation.
To check which area your postcode would come under go to Rent Service (opens in a new tab) .