The shared accommodation rate is based on the level of local rents for properties that are not self contained. This usually means that there is a shared
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kitchen,
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bathroom,
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toilet or
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living room
If you already get Housing Benefit at the one bedroom rate your Housing Benefit may go down if you move to the shared accommodation rate.
If your Housing Benefit is paid directly to your landlord, the amount your landlord gets for your rent could go down.
If you are getting, or thinking of claiming Housing Benefit, you need to consider this change before you renew or make a new tenancy agreement with a private landlord.
Please see the Downloads section on the right side of this page for more information. For an indication of the financial effect, see our Local Housing Allowance page; the appropriate rate would be the “One bedroom, shared accommodation level.”
We will write to everybody affected nearer the time to confirm the individual effect of this change.
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