The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Order 1998

PART II E+W+S RENT OFFICERS’ DETERMINATIONS

Calculation of the appropriate amount E+W+S

2.  The appropriate amount, in a case to which this Part applies, in respect of that part of the qualifying expenditure which is attributable to allowances granted for the period beginning on the relevant date and ending on the termination date, shall be calculated in accordance with [F1 paragraph 6, 7, 8 or 9] as appropriate.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 4 para. 2 substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the commencing S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2957) , arts. 1(1) , 5(2)

Rent officers’ determinations E+W+S

3.  Except in a case to which Part III applies, this Part applies where an authority applies to a rent officer for a determination to be made under the Rent Officers Order or the Rent Officers Order 1995 in relation to a dwelling and the officer makes such a determination.

4.  This Part also applies in a case where the dwelling A is in a hostel and, by virtue of [F2 regulation 14(4) of the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, regulation 14(4) of the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations] (exemptions from requirement to refer to rent officers), an application for a determination in respect of that dwelling A is not required, because the dwelling is regarded as similar to dwelling B in that hostel in respect of which a determination has been made, and in such a case the determination made in respect of dwelling B shall, for the purposes of this Part, be treated as if it were a determination in respect of dwelling A. E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 4 para. 4 substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(a) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

5.  This Part also applies in a case where a rent officer has made a determination in respect of a tenancy of a dwelling and by virtue of [F3 paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations] (cases with existing determinations) a new determination is not required in respect of another tenancy of the dwelling and in such a case the determination made shall, for the purposes of this Part, be treated as if it were a determination made in respect of that tenancy. E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in Sch. 4 para. 5 substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(b) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

[F4 6.   Except where paragraph 5 applies, this Part also applies in a case where an authority is required under [F5 regulation 14 of the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, regulation 14 of the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations] (requirement to refer to rent officer) to apply for a determination in relation to a dwelling, but the appropriate amount shall be nil if the authority fails to apply for that determination— E+W+S

(a) during the relevant year; or

(b) as soon as possible thereafter but before the date of the due date for the submission of the final subsidy claim for the relevant year.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Sch. 4 para. 6 substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/54) , arts. 1(1) , 4(4)(b)

F5 Words in Sch. 4 para. 6 substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(c) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

[F6 Rent officers' property-specific rent and claim-related rent E+W+S

7.   Where the rent officer either—

(a) determines a property-specific rent but not a size-related rent and the amount of eligible rent does not exceed the property-specific rent less ineligible amounts, or

(b) determines a claim-related rent and the amount of eligible rent does not exceed the aggregate of the claim-related rent and those service charges which the authority has determined as eligible to be met by housing benefit [F7 under sub-paragraphs (a)(iv)(c) and (f) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, under sub-paragraphs (a)(iv)(c) and (f) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations (ineligible service charges)], less ineligible amounts,

the appropriate amount in respect of the period beginning with the relevant date and ending with the termination date shall be [F8 100 per cent] of that part of the qualifying expenditure attributable to the eligible rent.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Sch. 4 para. 7 substituted (25.7.2001) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2350) , arts. 1(1) , 7(2)

F7 Words in Sch. 4 para. 7(b) substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(d) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

F8 Words in Sch. 4 para. 7 substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26) , arts. 1(1) , 4(2)(a)

8.— [F9 (1) Where the rent officer either— E+W+S

(a) determines a property-specific rent but not a size-related rent and the amount of eligible rent exceeds the property-specific rent less ineligible amounts, or

(b) determines a claim-related rent and the amount of eligible rent exceeds the aggregate of the claim-related rent and those service charges which the authority has determined as eligible to be met by housing benefit [F10 under sub-paragraphs (a)(iv)(c) and (f) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, under sub-paragraphs (a)(iv)(c) and (f) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations (ineligible service charges)], less ineligible amounts,

then, for the period beginning with the relevant date and ending with the termination date, the appropriate amount shall be determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) or (3), as the case may be.]

(2) Where the allowance granted is the same as or is less than the excess—

(a) except in a case to which paragraph 10 applies, the appropriate amount shall be nil;

(b) where paragraph 10 applies, the appropriate amount shall be 60 per cent. of the qualifying expenditure attributable to such allowance.

(3) Where the allowance granted is greater than the excess the appropriate amount shall be

(a) except where paragraph 10 applies, nil per cent. of the qualifying expenditure which is equal to the excess;

(b) where paragraph 10 applies, 60 per cent. of the qualifying expenditure which is equal to the excess,

together with [F11 100 per cent]. of the qualifying expenditure which remains after deducting the excess.

Textual Amendments

F9 Sch. 4 para. 8(1) substituted (25.7.2001) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2350) , arts. 1(1) , 7(3)

F10 Words in Sch. 4 para. 8(1)(b) substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(d) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

F11 Words in Sch. 4 para. 8(3) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26) , arts. 1(1) , 4(2)(a)

Rent officers’ property-specific and size-related rents E+W+S

9.—(1) Where the rent officer makes a determination that the dwelling exceeds the size criteria for its occupiers and determines both a property-specific rent and a size-related rent for that dwelling, the appropriate amount in respect of the period beginning on the relevant date and ending on the termination date shall be the appropriate amounts determined in accordance with the relevant sub-paragraphs of this paragraph.

(2) Where the eligible rent does not exceed the designated rent, less ineligible amounts, the appropriate amount shall be [F12 100 per cent]. of that part of the qualifying expenditure attributable to the eligible rent.

(3) For the period of 13 weeks beginning on the relevant date or, if shorter, for the period beginning on that date and ending on the termination date, if the amount of the eligible rent does not exceed the property-specific rent less ineligible amounts, the appropriate amount shall be [F12 100 per cent]. of that part of the qualifying expenditure attributable to the eligible rent.

(4) For the period of 13 weeks beginning on the relevant date or, if shorter, for the period beginning on that date and ending on the termination date, if the amount of the eligible rent exceeds the property-specific rent less ineligible amounts—

(a) where the allowance is the same as or is less than the excess—

(i) except in a case to which paragraph 10 applies, the appropriate amount shall be nil;

(ii) where paragraph 10 applies, the appropriate amount shall be 60 per cent. of the qualifying expenditure attributable to such allowance;

(b) where the allowance granted is greater than the excess the appropriate amount shall be—

(i) except where paragraph 10 applies, nil per cent. of the qualifying expenditure which is equal to the excess;

(ii) where paragraph 10 applies, 60 per cent. of the qualifying expenditure which is equal to the excess,

and in either case [F12 100 per cent]. of the qualifying expenditure which remains after deducting the excess.

(5) For the period after the end of that 13 week period, if the amount of the eligible rent exceeds the designated rent less ineligible amounts—

(a) where the allowance is the same as or is less than the excess—

(i) except in a case to which paragraph 10 applies, the appropriate amount shall be nil;

(ii) where paragraph 10 applies, the appropriate amount shall be 60 per cent. of the qualifying expenditure attributable to such allowance;

(b) where the allowance granted is greater than the excess the appropriate amount shall be—

(i) except where paragraph 10 applies, nil per cent. of the qualifying expenditure which is equal to the excess;

(ii) where paragraph 10 applies, 60 per cent. of the qualifying expenditure which is equal to the excess,

and in either case [F12 100 per cent]. of the qualifying expenditure which remains after deducting the excess.

[F13 (6) This paragraph does not apply where a rent officer determines a claim-related rent.]

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in Sch. 4 para. 9(2)-(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the commencing S.I.) by Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/26) , arts. 1(1) , 4(2)(a)

F13 Sch. 4 para. 9(6) added (25.7.2001) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2350) , arts. 1(1) , 7(4)

Restriction on unreasonable rents or on rent increases E+W+S

10.  This paragraph applies where an authority has been unable to treat a person’s eligible rent as reduced by reason of regulation 11(3), (3A) M1 , (4), as in force on 1st January 1996, or 12(2) M2 of the [F14 Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987] (restrictions on unreasonable rents or rent increases) M3 , as in force on 5th October 1997.

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in Sch. 4 para. 10 substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(e) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

Marginal Citations

M1 Paragraph (3A) was added by regulation 2(c) of S.I. 1989/566 .

M2 Paragraph (2) was added by regulation 3(b) of S.I. 1989/566 .

M3 Regulation 11 was revoked and replaced by S.I. 1995/1644 from 2nd January 1996 and regulation 12 was omitted by S.I. 1997/852 , but the earlier regulations continue in force for certain claimants by regulation 10 of S.I. 1995/1644 and regulation 4(3) of S.I. 1997/852 .

Payments on account of rent allowance E+W+S

F15 11.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F15 Sch. 4 para. 11 omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2957) , arts. 1(1) , 5(3)

Relevant date E+W+S

12.  For the purposes of this Part—

(a) in a case where a claim for rent allowance is made on or after 1st April in the relevant year, the relevant date is the date on which entitlement to benefit commences;

(b) in a case where, on 1st April in the relevant year, there is current on that date both a claim for an allowance in relation to the dwelling and a rent officer’s determination in relation to that dwelling, the relevant date is that day and for this purpose a rent officer’s determination includes a determination, further determination or re-determination made under the Rent Officers Order or the Rent Officers Order 1995, as the case may be, save that, where a determination had not taken effect by 31st March of the year immediately preceding the relevant year, the relevant date will be 13 weeks after the relevant date determined under the 1997 Order, or, in a relevant year commencing on or after 1st April 1998, the relevant date determined for the year immediately preceding that relevant year;

(c) in a case where, during the relevant year—

(i) there has been a change relating to a rent allowance within the meaning of [F16 regulation 14(10) of the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, regulation 14(10) of the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations]; and

(ii) by virtue of [F17 regulation 14 of the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, regulation 14 of the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations] (requirement to refer to rent officer) an application for a determination in respect of that dwelling is required,

the relevant date is the date on which the relevant change of circumstances takes effect for the purposes of [F18 regulation 79 of the Housing Benefit Regulations or, as the case may be, regulation 59 of the Housing Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations] (date on which change of circumstances is to take effect) or, if the relevant change of circumstances does not affect entitlement to an allowance, the Monday following the date on which the relevant change occurred;

(d) in a case where, prior to any rent officer determination being notified to the authority, the authority determines a rent allowance on a claim in respect of a dwelling, the relevant date is—

(i) if the designated rent less ineligible amounts determined under the determination eventually notified by the rent officer is higher than or equal to the eligible rent determined by the authority in relation to that dwelling, the date determined under the foregoing sub-paragraphs of this paragraph as appropriate;

(ii) if the designated rent less ineligible amounts is lower than the eligible rent determined by the authority but that eligible rent is equal to or more than the appropriate indicative rent level for that dwelling, the Monday following the date on which the determination is made by the rent officer;

(iii) if the designated rent less ineligible amounts is lower than the eligible rent determined by the authority in relation to that dwelling, the Monday following the date on which the determination is made by the rent officer and, in so far as the eligible rent determined by the authority in relation to that dwelling was in excess of the appropriate indicative rent level for that dwelling, paragraph 7 shall apply to that excess;

[F19 (e) in a case where the rent officer has made a re-determination, substitute determination or substitute re-determination, the relevant date is—

(i) if the designated rent determination under the re-determination, substitute determination or substitute re-determination is higher than or equal to the amount determined under the original determination, the date determined under the foregoing sub-paragraphs of this paragraph as appropriate;

(ii) if the designated rent determination under the re-determination, substitute determination or substitute re-determination is lower than the amount determined under the original determination, the Monday following the date on which the re-determination, substitute determination or substitute re-determination is made by the rent officer.]

Textual Amendments

F16 Words in Sch. 4 para. 12(c)(i) substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(g)(i) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

F17 Words in Sch. 4 para. 12(c)(ii) substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(g)(ii) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

F18 Words in Sch. 4 para. 12(c) substituted (6.3.2006) by The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/217) , reg. 1(1) , Sch. 2 para. 13(10)(g)(iii) (with regs. 2 , 3 , Schs. 3 , Sch. 4 )

F19 Sch. 4 para. 12(e) substituted (25.7.2001) by The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2350) , arts. 1(1) , 7(5)

Termination date E+W+S

13.  For the purposes of this Part “termination date" means—

(a) 31st March in the relevant year; or

(b) where the rent officer’s determination replaces a determination made in relation to the same dwelling, the day before the relevant date of the new determination by the rent officer in relation to the same dwelling as defined by paragraph 12; or

(c) the date on which the allowance ceases to be paid in respect of the tenancy,

whichever is the earlier date in the relevant year.