Child going to University in September

pink_harlot

I presently rent a 2 bed flat and my daughter is going into Uni accommodation in September.  Uni accommodation is for 42 weeks or something as I understand it so I had previously looked into it and found out I would not get charged the bedroom tax for the spare room because of her coming back etc.  Does anyone know how this changes your Universal Credit?  Do they reduce the housing element?  I presently get 100% of my rent covered so this is a worry when she leaves as I am on a low income.

calcotti

A Decision Maker has to decide whether to treat your daughter as normally residing at university or normally residing at your address.. The guidance is not specific on this and I think the decision may vary depending on the person making it. If it is decided that your daughter normally resides at her term time address then your housing element will be affected because you will only be entitled to one bedroom.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1067566/admf3.pdf
See the example to paragraph F3034

In a case where a student lives at a university address during term time and lives at their parents’ home for some weekends and during the holidays, the DM should decide which address is where they normally reside. Whichever address is chosen will remain the student’s normal residence even when they spend time at the other home.

A student still retains a bedroom, furniture and some clothing at their parents’ home, they still get some mail there, are registered with the local dentist and are actually resident for 18 full weeks and most weekends. On this evidence the DM decides that the student normally resides at their parents’ home and are only temporarily absent from it whilst at university.

Alternatively, the DM may decide that because the student has a tenancy agreement for a university address, they have some furniture and clothes there, they live there for 32 weeks of the year and are liable for gas, electricity and a tv licence that they normally reside at the university address and are only temporarily absent from it whilst back living with their parents.