Please note. This guide was written in 2013 and some details, such as eligibility dates, have been updated. It remains here as information.

Only working age people are affected by the reform. What counts as working age?

If you or your partner were born before 5 October 1951 you will be classed as pension age when the changes occur in April 2013 and you won’t be affected. This is because the under occupation rules will only apply to tenants who are ‘working age’, which means tenants who do not qualify for Pension Credit.

The minimum age for Pension Credit (and other pension age benefits) is changing. For both men and women the minimum age increases in line with women’s state pension age. 

If you are in a couple your eligibility for Pension Credit is currently determined by the age of the older person in the couple. However, please be aware that at some point, due to the roll out of Universal Credit, this rule will be reversed and the age of the younger person will determine whether they qualify for Pension Credit.

I will be 61 in April 2013. Will I be affected by the reform?

In April 2013 female state pension age will be 61 and a half. The definition of ‘working age’ is set in line with female state pension age, so someone who’s 61st birthday is in April 2013 would still be working age and would be affected by the new rules. However, by April 2014, when they will become 62, they will be counted as pension age rather than working age. At this point they will no longer be subject to under occupation rules.

I am a working age claimant with a joint tenant who is pension age. How will I be affected?

The reduction will be applied to the eligible rent before the Council apportions the share of the rent for benefit purposes. For example, Mr and Mrs Freestone are an elderly mother and adult son who share the tenancy of a 3 bed Council house. The rent for the property is £80.00 per week. According to the government's rules they need a 2 bed house, so their eligible rent will reduce to £68.80 because a 14% reduction will apply as Mr Freestone is over accommodated. The restriction does not apply to Mrs Freestone, so her Housing Benefit will be based on £40pw. Mr Freestone will therefore have his benefit based on a restricted rent of £24.80.

When will the changes come into effect?

The changes will come into effect in April 2013 for all working age Housing Benefit claimants, including existing claimants. After October 2013 the new size criteria will be absorbed into Universal Credit , with the element of the credit for housing costs incorporating any deduction for the additional bedroom(s).

How will the number of bedrooms I need be worked out?

Housing Benefit will calculate how many bedrooms you need as follows:

• One bedroom for each couple or named tenant if you are not a couple
• One bedroom for up to two dependant children under 10 regardless if they are a girl or a boy
• One bedroom for up to two dependant children under 16 if they are the same sex
• One bedroom for any couple or single person aged 16 or over
• One bedroom for an overnight carer to provide care to a disabled tenant or their partner

The number of bedrooms a household can be increased in certain circumstances. The rules in this area are complicated and you may need to take advice on your individual situation.

Are there any exemptions?

Special rules affect the following groups:

• Disabled children and adults
• Disabled children and adults who need overnight care
• Adult children in the armed forces
• Foster carers

For more information see exemptions from the under occupation rules.

What counts as a bedroom?

There is no centrally determined definition of what counts as a bedroom. However, in setting the rent for your home your landlord will normally have to define the number of bedrooms you have and this should be stated on your tenancy agreement.

How much will my Housing Benefit be reduced?

If you live in property that is under occupied then the ‘eligible rent’ (the amount you pay minus any ineligible service charges) used to calculate your Housing Benefit will be reduced by a percentage:

• One bedroom too many: 14% reduction
• Two or more bedrooms too many: 25% reduction

If you currently receive Housing Benefit but get less than the maximum amount (for instance because you have some earnings) then you should work out the cash amount of the restriction by multiplying your eligible rent by the percentage reduction. The amount of Housing Benefit you receive will be reduced by the cash amount of the rent restriction from April 2013. If the amount of Housing Benefit you currently receive is less than the rent restriction then you may not receive anything at all after April 2013.