Bedrooms and under occupancy

If you are of working age, live in a council or housing association home, and claim housing benefits you are entitled to housing benefit to cover 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 aged under 10
  • a carer (or team of carers) who provide overnight care
  • any other child*

*If you foster a child, or look after a child whose main home is elsewhere, the child will not be included when assessing the number of bedrooms you require.

Some worked examples 

So, for example a couple or single parent:

  • with no children will need one bedroom.
  • with one child will need two bedrooms.
  • with a boy and girl aged under 10 will need two bedrooms.
  • with a boy and girl aged 11 and 15 will need three bedrooms.
  • with two boys aged 11 and 15 will need two bedrooms.
  • with two boys aged 13 and 16 will need three bedrooms.