Paying for Extra Bedrooms
The Government is reforming the welfare system and from 1st April 2013 the way Housing Benefit is calculated will change
If you rent your home from Durham County Council, a registered housing association or other registered social landlord, the amount of Housing Benefit you get from 1st April 2013 will be based on the number of bedrooms your household needs.
If you have one or more extra bedrooms your Housing Benefit may be reduced.
The information sheet you receive explains how benefit payments will be calculated in the future based on the number of bedrooms in your house.
Based on the information the landlord holds, it may look like you have extra bedroom(s) over the new Housing Benefit allowance. To make sure this is correct you need to check the information supplied.
If the information about who is living in your household on the back of your letter is correct.
Do nothing
If the information about who is living in your household on the back of your letter is not correct.
Complete the enclosed change form and return it in the prepaid envelope as soon as possible.
If you disagree
with the number of bedrooms on the back of this letter or would like advice on your options because of the impact these housing benefit changes will have. Contact your landlord to discuss your circumstances as they may be able to help.
Information landlords hold about your household and accommodation
People in your household:
Adult couple(s) (married or unmarried)
Other adult(s) aged 16 or over
Pair(s) of children of same sex aged under 16
Pair(s) of children aged under 10 (same or opposite sex)
Other children
Non-resident carer(s) providing you or your partner with overnight care
Total bedrooms required in accordance with the new housing benefit rules:
Number of bedrooms in your accommodation:
Number of extra bedrooms:
If all of the information is correct you don’t need to contact the landlord.
