How the bedroom tax might affect you
If, under these rules, it is decided that you have one or more spare bedrooms, your total ‘eligible rent’ (ie the maximum amount that could be covered by the universal credit housing costs amount or by housing benefit) will be reduced by:
- 14% if you have one spare bedroom; and
- 25% if you have two or more spare bedrooms.
For example, if your rent is £100 a week, your eligible rent would be reduced by £14 a week to £86 if you have one spare bedroom, and by £25 a week to £75 if you have two or more spare bedrooms. Your universal credit or housing benefit entitlement will then be calculated using this reduced amount.
