Council Tax Benefit/Rent Restrictions
Council tax benefit restrictions
Your eligible council tax will be reduced if you (and your partner) have other adults living with you (non-dependant deductions). This is because they are expected to help pay the costs.
If this restriction is causing you to suffer financial hardship, you may qualify for a discretionary housing payment.
Rent restriction
If you are renting from a private landlord and you claimed on or after 7 April 2008 your claim will be dealt with under the Local Housing Allowance legislation.
If you are renting from a private landlord and you originally claimed prior to 7 April 2008 and you are still resident at the same address we will continue refer your rent annuallyto the Rent Officer. He will tell us the average local rent cost of a home for your needs. We will assess your benefit on this figure and not the actual amount you are paying in rent. You will need to pay the difference from your own income.
The rent officer may agree the rent, or restrict it. He could decide it is too expensive, bigger than your needs or has charges in the rent that are not eligible for benefit, such as water rates or fuel charges.
If you are single and aged under 25 special rules apply. The rent officer will restrict your rent to the average “market value” of a single room with shared use of a living room, kitchen and bathroom.
If you do not agree with the rent officers decision, you should write to us and ask us to have it looked at again. A rent officer from another area will look at the decision again.
Your eligible rent will also be reduced if you (and your partner) have other adults living with you. This is because they are expected to contribute to the costs.
If the rent restriction is causing you financial hardship, you may qualify for a discretionary housing payment.
Page updated: 17 Nov 2011
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