The information set out below indicates the number of bedrooms you are entitled to as per the benefit rules. For each of the following categories, you will be entitled to one bedroom: 

• adult couple 

• single person or child aged 16 or over

• two children aged under 16 of the same gender 

• two children aged under 10 regardless of their gender

• person who cannot share a bedroom because s/he is severely disabled. 

A further bedroom may be allowed if you have a:

• carer because you or your partner or a child is disabled and needs overnight care 

• foster child or you are an approved foster carer

• son or daughter in the armed forces who will return to your home

• lodger (housing benefit only) 

• partner who needs to sleep in a spare bedroom for health reasons

• child who cannot share a bedroom for health reasons

• disability equipment 

If there are more bedrooms in your home, to what  the rules say you are allowed, your housing costs benefit will be reduced. 

If you claim housing benefit this will be administered by the local authority. 

For Universal credit claimants it will be the DWP. The under occupancy, bedroom tax will be applied to your eligible rent. This means, the amount your rent actually is after any extra charges such as water costs have been deducted (a charge not covered by your benefit). 

Your housing costs will be reduced by 14% for 1 spare bedroom or 25% for 2 or more spare bedrooms.

If you are affected because of the bedroom tax, you may be able to apply for help depending on your individual circumstances:

Discretionary Housing Payment

Make an application to the council for a discretionary housing payment which may cover a housing costs shortfall between your benefit and eligible rent

Bedroom Tax Exemption

If you qualify for an additional bedroom, you can apply for a bedroom tax exemption. For example, if you need an overnight carer due to ill-health, the bedroom tax exemption can be applied for as long as you need the overnight care.

Consider taking in a lodger

However this means taking on the responsibilities of a landlord, which includes carrying out a ‘right to rent’ immigration check  (your landlord may do this for you). Also rent income from a lodger may affect the amount of income tax you pay or the welfare benefit income you receive

Transfer to a smaller property

Some councils or housing associations will give you extra priority on their transfer list, and sometimes a cash incentive

Bedroom tax will not apply to you if you have reached the qualifying age for pension credit. It makes no difference if you are not actually receiving it, just that you meet the correct age.

If you are married or have a partner, and one of you are of pension credit age the bedroom tax will not apply. 

However if you claim universal credit, you both must have reached pension credit age. 

If you are not sure whether you have reached the age to qualify for pension credit you can use the Gov online state pension checker for clarification.