Surrey Welfare Rights Unit

Private Landlord

The maximum level of rent support through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit will depend on the number of bedrooms the government has decided a person in your situation needs and the local housing allowance for that number of bedrooms in your local rental area.  This is even if the property has more bedrooms or is shared accommodation. The maximum number of bedrooms allowed is 4 regardless of circumstances.

If their rent is higher than this, your child will need to make up the shortfall. Local authorities have discretionary funds available, called Discretionary Housing Payments, that can “top up” payments to help with rent when your child is getting rent support through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.  These funds tend to be short term and, due to their discretionary nature, cannot not be relied on.