The Universal Credit Regulations 2013

PART 1 General

Introduction

1.—(1) This Schedule contains provisions about claimants to whom regulation 26(2) applies.

(2) Claimants who fall within sub-paragraph (1) are referred to in this Schedule as “renters” (and references to “joint renters” are to joint claimants to whom regulation 26(2) applies).

(3) Part 2 of this Schedule sets out an exception to section 11(1) of the Act for certain renters in whose case an award of universal credit is not to include an amount of housing costs element calculated under this Schedule.

(4) The following Parts of this Schedule provide for the calculation of the amount of housing costs element to be included under regulation 26(2) in a renter’s award of universal credit—

(a) Part 3 contains general provisions that apply to all calculations, whether under Part 4 or Part 5;

(b) Part 4 applies in relation to renters who occupy accommodation in the private rented sector or who occupy temporary accommodation; and

(c) Part 5 applies in relation to renters who occupy accommodation in the social rented sector other than temporary accommodation.

Interpretation

2.  In this Schedule—

“exempt accommodation” has the meaning given in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1;

“extended benefit unit” has the meaning given in paragraph 9;

“Housing Act functions” means functions under section 122 of the Housing Act 1996(1) (functions of rent officers in connection with universal credit, housing benefit and rent allowance subsidy and housing credit);

“housing cost contribution” has the meaning given in paragraph 13;

“joint renter” has the meaning given in paragraph 1(2);

“listed persons”, in relation to a renter, means—

(a)

the renter;

(b)

where the renter is a member of a couple, the other member of the couple; and

(c)

any child or qualifying young person for whom the renter (or either joint renter) is responsible;

“non-dependant” has the meaning given in paragraph 9(2);

“provider of social housing” means—

(a)

a local authority;

(b)

a non-profit registered provider of social housing;

(c)

in relation to accommodation which is social housing, a profit-making registered provider of social housing;

(d)

a registered social landlord;

“registered social landlord” means—

(a)

a body which is registered in the register maintained by the Welsh Ministers under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996(2);

(b)

a body which is registered in the register maintained by the Scottish Housing Regulator under section 20(1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010(3);

“relevant payments” has the meaning given in paragraph 3;

“the Rent Officers Order 2013” means the Rent Officers (Universal Credit Functions) Order 2013(4);

“renter” means a single renter within the meaning of paragraph 1(2) or each of joint renters;

“renter who requires overnight care” is to be understood in accordance with paragraph 12(3) to (5);

“shared accommodation” has the meaning given in paragraph 27;

“social housing” has the meaning given in sections 68 to 77 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008(5).

“Relevant payments” for purposes of this Schedule

3.—(1) “ Relevant payments” means one or more payments of any of the following descriptions—

(a) rent payments;

(b) service charge payments.

(2) “Rent payments”, in relation to any calculation under Part 4 or 5 of this Schedule, has the meaning given in paragraph 2 of Schedule 1.

(3) “Service charge payments”—

(a) for the purposes of calculations under Part 4 of this Schedule, has the meaning given in paragraph 7 of Schedule 1;

(b) for the purposes of calculations under Part 5 of this Schedule, is to be understood in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8 of Schedule 1.

(1)

1996 c.52. Section 122 was amended by section 127 of, and paragraph 60 of Schedule 7 to, the Local Government Act 2003 (c.26), section 40 of, and paragraph 12 of Schedule 5 to, and section 67 of, Schedule 8 to, the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c.5).

(2)

1996 c.52. Section 1(1) was amended by section 61(1) and 3 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c.17) and paragraph 83 of Schedule 16, and Part 6 of Schedule 18, to the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c.38).

(3)

2010 (asp 17).

(4)

S.I. 2013/382

(5)

2008 c.17.