Private tenants making new claims

How many bedrooms am I entitled to?

The number of bedrooms you are entitled to depends on the number of people who live with you.

The number of rooms does not include other rooms such as living room, kitchen or bathroom.

The number of bedrooms you are entitled to is then used to calculate your LHA rate. In some cases, there are some more rules - these are looked at below.

You are entitled to one bedroom for:

• Every adult couple (married or unmarried)
• Any other adult aged 16 or over
• Any two children of the same sex aged under 16
• Any two children who are less than ten years old, regardless of sex
• Any other child.

From 1 April 2011, the maximum Housing Benefit we can pay a tenant is the four-bedroom Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate. See our LHA current rates.

If you make a new claim for Housing Benefit or move into private rented accommodation after 1 April 2011, your claim will be assessed according to the maximum four-bedroom LHA rate.

If you are an existing claimant and receiving a five-bedroom rate your claim will be reassessed at its annual review and the LHA will reduce to the four-bedroom maximum rate. For more information see April 2011 changes to Housing Benefits.