Social Housing Under Occupancy Charge

Also known as: 

  • Removal of the spare room subsidy
  • Social sector size criteria
  • Bedroom tax

Spare bedroom

If you have one or more spare bedrooms your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing cost element is reduced. These changes only apply to council or social housing tenants of working age.

Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing cost element is cut by 14% of the total rent you pay every week if you have one spare bedroom. If you have two or more spare bedrooms, you lose 25%. If your benefit is cut you need to pay your landlord the difference between your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and your rent.

Discretionary Housing Payments

In some exceptional circumstances you may be able to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment.