Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and come into force on 1st April 2011.

Amendment of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006

2.—(1) The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006(3) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2(1)(4) (interpretation)—

(a)after the definition of “person on income support” insert—

““person who requires overnight care” means a person (“P”)—

(b)in the definition of “young individual” after sub-paragraph (f) add—

“or

(g)who is a person who requires overnight care;”.

(3) In regulation 12D(1)(5) (eligible rent and maximum rent (LHA)) at the beginning insert, “Except where regulation 12M (transitional protection – reduction in LHA) applies,”.

(4) Omit regulation 12L(6) (transitional protection – larger properties).

(5) Before regulation 13(7) (maximum rent) insert—

“Transitional protection – reduction in LHA

12M.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a)reference was made to a maximum rent (LHA) in determining the amount of the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011;

(b)on or after 1st April 2011 the relevant authority is required to determine a maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of—

(i)regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a larger category of dwelling; or

(ii)regulation 13C(3) (anniversary of LHA date); and

(c)the determination referred to in sub-paragraph (b) is the first determination of a maximum rent (LHA) the relevant authority is required to make on or after 1st April 2011.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the claimant’s eligible rent is—

(a)the maximum rent (LHA) where that is equal to or higher than the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011; or

(b)in any other case, the lower of—

(i)the amount of the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011; or

(ii)the amount of the cap rent by reference to which the maximum rent (LHA) referred to in paragraph (1)(b) was determined.

(3) Where the claimant’s eligible rent is determined in accordance with paragraph (2)(b) it will continue to apply until, on or after 1st April 2011, the first of the following events occurs—

(a)the period 9 months after the determination of the maximum rent (LHA) referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has expired;

(b)the relevant authority is required to determine a new maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a larger category of dwelling and the maximum rent (LHA) is equal to or higher than the eligible rent referred to in paragraph (2)(b);

(c)the relevant authority is required to determine a new maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a smaller category of dwelling;

(d)the relevant authority is required to determine an eligible rent following a change of dwelling; or

(e)the relevant authority is required to determine an eligible rent in accordance with regulation 12D(3) (protection on death).

(4) Where the eligible rent ceases to apply because of paragraph (3)(a), the eligible rent will be the maximum rent (LHA) which would have applied but for the transitional protection in paragraph (2)(b).

(5) Where the eligible rent is the maximum rent (LHA), it shall be treated as if it had been determined in accordance with regulation 12D(2)(a) (eligible rent is maximum rent (LHA)) and shall apply according to the provisions of regulation 12D.”.

(6) In regulation 13D(8) (determination of a maximum rent (LHA))—

(a)in paragraph (2)(c) for “to a maximum of five” substitute “up to a maximum of four”;

(b)at the end of paragraph (3) insert—

“and one additional bedroom in any case where the claimant or the claimant’s partner is a person who requires overnight care (or in any case where both of them are).”;

(c)for paragraph (5) substitute—

“(5) Where the applicable local housing allowance exceeds the cap rent, the maximum rent (LHA) shall be the cap rent.”; and

(d)omit paragraphs (6), (8) and (9).

(7) In regulation 14(8)(9) (requirement to refer to rent officers) in the definition of “change relating to a rent allowance” for “or (d)” substitute “, (d) or (f)”.

(8) In regulation 96(3A)(b)(10) (circumstances in which payment may be made to a landlord)—

(a)after paragraph (iii) add—

“or

(iv)the relevant authority considers that it will assist the claimant in securing or retaining a tenancy.”; and

(b)for paragraph (4) substitute—

“(4) In this regulation—

“landlord” has the same meaning as in regulation 95 and paragraph (2) of that regulation shall have effect for the purposes of this regulation; and

“tenancy” includes—

(9) In regulation 114A(9)(11) (information to be provided to rent officers) between paragraph (c) and the word “and” insert—

“(ca)whether the claimant or the claimant’s partner is a person who requires overnight care;”.

(10) In paragraph 2(3) of Schedule 2(12) (excluded tenancies) after paragraph (e) add—

“(f)the claimant or the claimant’s partner becomes or ceases to be a person who requires overnight care where that affects the size criteria, as set out in Schedule 2 to the Rent Officers Order, applicable in the claimant’s case.”.

(11) In paragraph 6 of Schedule 10(13) (former pathfinder authorities), in the inserted regulation 12I (basic transitional protection in the second and subsequent years after 7th April 2008), in paragraph (2)(b)(ii) omit “, plus £15”.

Amendment of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006

3.—(1) The Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006(14) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2(1)(15) (interpretation) after the definition of “person on state pension credit” insert—

““person who requires overnight care” means a person (“P”)—

(3) In regulation 12D(1)(16) (eligible rent and maximum rent (LHA)) at the beginning insert, “Except where regulation 12M (transitional protection – reduction in LHA) applies,”.

(4) Omit regulation 12L(17) (transitional protection – larger properties).

(5) Before regulation 13(18) (maximum rent) insert—

“Transitional protection – reduction in LHA

12M.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a)reference was made to a maximum rent (LHA) in determining the amount of the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011;

(b)on or after 1st April 2011 the relevant authority is required to determine a maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of—

(i)regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a larger category of dwelling; or

(ii)regulation 13C(3) (anniversary of LHA date); and

(c)the determination referred to in sub-paragraph (b) is the first determination of a maximum rent (LHA) the relevant authority is required to make on or after 1st April 2011.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the claimant’s eligible rent is—

(a)the maximum rent (LHA) where that is equal to or higher than the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011; or

(b)in any other case, the lower of—

(i)the amount of the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011; or

(ii)the amount of the cap rent by reference to which the maximum rent (LHA) referred to in paragraph (1)(b) was determined.

(3) Where the claimant’s eligible rent is determined in accordance with paragraph (2)(b) it will continue to apply until, on or after 1st April 2011, the first of the following events occurs—

(a)the period 9 months after the determination of the maximum rent (LHA) referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has expired;

(b)the relevant authority is required to determine a new maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a larger category of dwelling and the maximum rent (LHA) is equal to or higher than the eligible rent referred to in paragraph (2)(b);

(c)the relevant authority is required to determine a new maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a smaller category of dwelling;

(d)the relevant authority is required to determine an eligible rent following a change of dwelling; or

(e)the relevant authority is required to determine an eligible rent in accordance with regulation 12D(3) (protection on death).

(4) Where the eligible rent ceases to apply because of paragraph (3)(a), the eligible rent will be the maximum rent (LHA) which would have applied but for the transitional protection in paragraph (2)(b).

(5) Where the eligible rent is the maximum rent (LHA), it shall be treated as if it had been determined in accordance with regulation 12D(2)(a) (eligible rent is maximum rent (LHA)) and shall apply according to the provisions of regulation 12D.”.

(6) In regulation 13D(19) (determination of a maximum rent (LHA))—

(a)in paragraph (2)(c) for “to a maximum of five” substitute “up to a maximum of four”;

(b)at the end of paragraph (3) insert—

“and one additional bedroom in any case where the claimant or the claimant’s partner is a person who requires overnight care (or in any case where both of them are).”;

(c)for paragraph (5) substitute—

“(5) Where the applicable local housing allowance exceeds the cap rent, the maximum rent (LHA) shall be the cap rent.”; and

(d)omit paragraphs (6), (8) and (9).

(7) In regulation 14(8)(20) (requirement to refer to rent officers) in the definition of “change relating to a rent allowance” for “or (d)” substitute “, (d) or (e)”.

(8) In regulation 77(3A)(b)(21) (circumstances in which payment may be made to a landlord)—

(a)after paragraph (iii) add—

“or

(iv)the relevant authority considers that it will assist the claimant in securing or retaining a tenancy.”; and

(b)for paragraph (4) substitute—

“(4) In this regulation—

“landlord” has the same meaning as in regulation 95 and paragraph (2) of that regulation shall have effect for the purposes of this regulation; and

“tenancy” includes—

(9) In regulation 95A(9)(22) (information to be provided to rent officers) between paragraph (b) and the word “and” insert—

“(ba)whether the claimant or the claimant’s partner is a person who requires overnight care;”.

(10) In paragraph 2(3) of Schedule 2(23) (excluded tenancies) after paragraph (d) add—

“(e)the claimant or the claimant’s partner becomes or ceases to be a person who requires overnight care where that affects the size criteria, as set out in Schedule 2 to the Rent Officers Order, applicable in the claimant’s case.”.

(11) In paragraph 6 of Schedule 9(24) (former pathfinder authorities), in the inserted regulation 12I (basic transitional protection in the second and subsequent years after 7th April 2008), in paragraph (2)(b)(ii) omit “, plus £15”.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006. Regulation 3 makes equivalent amendments to the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006.

Paragraph (6) of regulation 2 amends regulation 13D which provides for the calculation of a maximum rent in cases where housing benefit is calculated by reference to a local housing allowance (LHA). The amendment does three things.

First, it reduces the maximum size dwelling for which the LHA is calculated from five to four bedrooms, and removes provisions that allowed a local authority to request a local housing allowance determination for dwellings larger than the maximum.

Secondly, it requires account to be taken of an additional bedroom for a non-resident carer in any case where the claimant or claimant’s partner is a person who requires overnight care. Paragraph (2) of regulation 2 inserts a definition of “person who requires overnight care”, and also in the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 adjusts the definition of “young individual” to exclude such a person. Paragraphs (7), (9) and (10) make consequential amendments.

Finally, it removes the provision that allows claimants to receive up to £15 more than their actual rent. Paragraph (11) makes an equivalent amendment to regulation 12I, which is a transitional provision applying to some claimants in former pathfinder authorities.

Paragraph (5) makes provision for transitional protection for up to 9 months where the local authority determines a new maximum rent (LHA) because it is the anniversary of the last determination or there is a new applicable LHA because the claimant has become entitled to a larger category of dwelling.

Paragraph (8) extends the circumstances in which payment of Housing Benefit may be made directly to the landlord in cases where a maximum rent (LHA) has been determined.

The Report of the Social Security Advisory Committee dated 13th October 2010 on the Secretary of State’s proposal to make these Regulations, together with a statement showing the extent to which these Regulations give effect to the recommendations of the Committee and, in so far as they do not give effect to them, the reasons why not, are contained in an Act Paper published by The Stationery Office Ltd.

An assessment of the impact of these Regulations has been made. Copies of this impact assessment are available in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament, and may also be obtained from the Better Regulation Unit of the Department for Work and Pensions, 6B Caxton House, Tothill Street, London SW1H 9NA, or from the DWP website:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/resourcecentre/ria.asp.