Rent help and council tax

Lesson 7 of 13 in our free Benefits & Support guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

Shown for England. Some rules here are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the lesson shows your nation's version.

This lesson is in the full version.

Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Benefits & Support is free for everyone.

Questions you'll answer

Mo's landlord sends a scary letter about rent arrears. What's the smartest first move?

Fact: “Single people under 35 renting privately are usually limited to the 'shared accommodation' rate.” — Yes — there are some exceptions (e.g. certain care leavers), so it's worth checking.
Myth: “Claiming UC automatically sorts out your council tax help everywhere.” — Council Tax Reduction is run by each council with its own rules. Many need a separate application — check yours.
Fact: “In England, UC housing costs are usually paid to you, not your landlord.” — Yes, so budget for rent day. You can ask for it to go direct to the landlord in some cases. In Scotland you can choose.
Fact: “A household where everyone is a full-time student is exempt from council tax.” — Yes. If one non-student lives with students, they may get a 25% discount instead.
You need help with council tax on a low income → Your council. Council Tax Reduction is a council scheme.
Your rent went up and UC needs the new amount → Your UC journal. Report rent changes in your UC journal so the housing element updates.
Your UC housing help doesn't cover your rent and you're falling behind → Your council. Ask the council about a Discretionary Housing Payment — and get advice early.
You moved to a new flat → Your UC journal. Report it to UC (and tell the new council for council tax too!).