Reduction in Housing Benefit or UC for Spare Rooms

You may receive less in Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs Element in a UC claim if you are deemed to have one or more spare bedrooms. This is sometimes called the 'bedroom tax'.

Your benefit is worked out on an 'eligible rent' for your home. This is your actual rent plus any service charges you have to pay (for things like lifts or gardening) but not any personal costs like water rates or heating costs.

If you have a spare bedroom, your eligible rent may be reduced. You can see the reduction levels that apply here What you Get - including spare room reductions The shortfall amount would fall as your responsibility to pay each week/month.

You can challenge bedroom tax decisions with Housing Benefit or UC if you can evidence your need for the spare bedroom (e.g. live in carer).

You can also consider moving to a smaller home. Contact us if this is something you would like to explore.