Hello,

My client is disabled, and has evidence from his doctor to support that he requires a separate bedroom from his wife.

However, the rent officer will not consider the extra room required, and has assessed only on one bedroom. Discretionary Housing Payment currently tops up shortfall in rent, but this is subject to review. No guarantee DHP award will continue indefinitely.

Does anyone therefore know if there has been a change in the law which means rent officers must take into account of the extra room required, and assess accordingly?

Regards,

Thuy

It is for the La to decide on whom to include in the household.

This information should then be sent to the Rent Office for a decision based on the information submitted.

You know from your post that the subsequent decision will give the same valuation for a couple as a single person (not including most under 25 people).

The regs do not allow for extra rooms for anything else, hence dhp.

There has been no change in the law yet...

Last time I looked CPAG were looking for a test case on this.

They are still looking, see CPAG website for details.