In Plain English
AI-generatedThis bill would change the rules governing the under-occupancy penalty (the so-called 'bedroom tax') by excluding rooms designated as Safe or Sanctuary Rooms from the calculation. In practice, households that use a room as a safe space would not be penalised for having an extra bedroom, which is intended to help people who need such a room for safety or security.
Key Points
- Exempts Safe and Sanctuary Rooms from the bedroom count used to determine eligibility for the under-occupancy penalty under housing benefit and the housing element of Universal Credit.
- Sets out criteria for designating a room as Safe or Sanctuary and how that designation is verified.
- Could affect the amounts of housing support paid and the administration/costs of the benefits system for affected claimants.
Who is affected?
Housing benefit and Universal Credit claimants living in homes with Safe or Sanctuary RoomsDomestic abuse survivors or other individuals who require a safe space in their homeLocal authorities and social landlords (including housing associations) responsible for administering HB/UC and tenancy provisions
Generated 21 February 2026
