on ESA & affected by bedroom tax - trying to work out how to manage renting a room

HB58

To my mind, 'fudging the numbers' means trying to make it look as if someone lives there who doesn't. Many people have been on here bemoaning the fact that their HB is being reduced because of under-occupancy and every one of them has been advised to look into taking a lodger. The OP does that and is still castigated!

MathewJ

While your son is in halls of residence, you are allowed to keep a spare room. Once he leaves the halls of residence you will be subject to the under occupancy charge. (bedroom tax)
As the halls of residence only lasts for the 1st year - after this period he will have to live in his own self supported accommodation, which means you will have to downsize once he moves out of halls.

MathewJ

After reading a few replies - I need to point out if you take in a lodger, the first £20 a week is disregarded and then after that half of the rent is charged/classed as income. IE You charge £100 per week rent, -£20 allowance leaves £80, divided by half = £40 weekly income.