How can I avoid the bedroom tax?

If you have more bedrooms than the government states that you need for the size of your family, you will be classified as under occupying your home. This is also known as the bedroom tax. You can check how many bedrooms you are entitled to by using this calculator.

If you have more bedrooms than you need for the size of your family, you can apply to your local authority for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). For one extra bedroom they deduct 14% from your housing costs and 25% for two or more extra bedrooms.

Your local authority will want to see how you plan to improve your circumstances, but this payment may bridge the gap between your rent and what you receive for housing costs.