Significant changes to Private Tenants under the Age of 35


From 1st January 2012 significant changes will be introduced that will impact customers who are under the age of 35, in receipt of Housing Benefit and rent their property from a private landlord.
Currently single customers under the age of 25 have their Housing Benefit restricted to the shared room rate/ single room rent. Please note that there are special rules for care leavers and customers in receipt of the Severe Disability Premium.
From 1st January 2012 the shared room rate/ single room rent will be extended and will affect all customers under the age of 35 unless exempt from new rules. It does not apply to lone parents responsible for a child, those in receipt of certain Disability benefits, or care leavers under the age of 22.

To be exempt from these changes you will need to come under the following criteria:
  • Care leavers under the age of 22
  • Claimants who receive the middle or highest rate Disability living allowance care component and are entitled to a severe disability premium
  • Claimants who have a non dependant residing with them
  • Claimants entitled to an extra room for a non resident carer
  • Former hostel dwellers who had occupied a homeless hostel for at least three months
  • Ex offenders who are subject to a MAPPA order because they pose a risk of serious harm to the public

This means, that customers under the age of 35 making a new claim for Housing Benefit on or after 1st January 2012 will have their Housing Benefit restricted to the Single Room Rate rather than the one bedroom self contained rate.
For example: The current one bed rate is £91.15 per week (based on Oct 2011 figures)If you are to be affected by the changes your rent and subsequently the maximum Housing Benefit you could receive would be the shared room rate at £68.50 (based on October 2011 figures).

Customers who experience a shortfall between their rent amount and the amount of Housing Benefit they receive, will be expected to make up the difference. Alternatively they may want to consider moving to cheaper accommodation or move into shared accommodation.
Existing customers who are receiving transitional protection as a result of the April 2011 Local Housing Allowance changes will move to the shared accommodation rate at the same time as their transitional protection ceases.

Existing customers not receiving transitional protection i.e. those whose claims are made on or after 1 April 2011 but before 1 January 2012, will move to the shared accommodation rate on the anniversary of their claim.

Claims that do not fall within the Local Housing Allowance scheme and require an annual Rent Officer review will move to the shared accommodation rate (previously known as the single room rent) on the annual review of their case on or after 1st January 2012
New claimants aged 16 to 35 claiming from 1.1.2012 will be assessed on the shared accommodation rate unless they are exempt from the shared accommodation rate
Exemptions to the Shared accommodation rate for single people aged under 35, may apply if one of the following criteria are satisfied:
  • Care leavers under the age of 22
  • Claimants who receive the middle or highest rate Disability living allowance care component and are entitled to a severe disability premium
  • Claimants who have a non dependant residing with them
  • Claimants entitled to an extra room for a non resident carer
  • Former hostel dwellers who had occupied a homeless hostel for at least three months
  • Ex offenders who are subject to a MAPPA order because they pose a risk of serious harm to the public
If you will be affected by the changes to the Local Housing Allowance Shared Accommodation Rate you may find your current accommodation unaffordable and you may need to seek advice and assistance as to what housing options are available to you in securing alternative accommodation

Free impartial advice can be obtained from:
  • Isle of Wight Council’s Housing Options Team at 7 High Street, Newport, PO30 1SS who operate a drop in service between 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday. They can also be contacted for advice by telephone on 01983 823040 or by email at [email protected].
  • The Law Centre, Exchange House, St Cross Street, Newport, PO30 5BZ, 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays, .telephone 01983 524715
  • Citizens Advice Bureaux , Exchange House, St Cross Street, Newport, PO30 5BZ, telephone 01983 520594; or advice line 0845 1202959 available Tuesday and Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm

If you have not already done so you may also apply to join the Island HomeFinder scheme to await your turn for permanent affordable social housing, although there is a long wait for housing on the island and this is not to be considered as a quick solution. Applications can be made on line at www.islandhomefinder.org.uk.
Due to the shortage of social housing on the Island, you may need to seek cheaper alternative accommodation in the private sector. Available properties are advertised each week in the County Press as well on independent websites such as http://www.wightbay.com and other room share websites. You could also look at adverts often placed in shop windows or ask relatives or friends if they know of anyone with a room to rent. Rents vary between each property and you will need to carefully consider what you can afford.

If you need financial help to secure accommodation by way of a deposit or rent in advance this may be available from the Department of Works and Pensions or you could seek assistance by saving with the Isle of Wight Credit Union, 122a Pyle Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1JT, telephone 01983 559100 who are open 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday.

If you feel that you would benefit from some housing related support, the Housing Options Team are able to arrange a referral for you so that you can access this service. Support can be provided from an independent agency and they will assist you with anything related to your housing ranging from providing assistance to complete application forms to accompanying you on viewings. When making the referral, you can choose from the list of providers as to whom you want to provide that support to you.




Page last updated on: 18/10/2011