The Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Further provisions about size criteria for cases to which this Part applies N.I.

Four bedroom limit N.I.

25.  In calculating the amount of a renter's housing costs element under paragraph 21, no renter is entitled to more than 4 bedrooms.

Specified renters entitled to shared accommodation only N.I.

26.—(1) In calculating the amount of a renter's housing costs element under paragraph 21, any specified renter (within the meaning of paragraph 27) is entitled to shared accommodation only.

(2) “Shared accommodation” means the category of accommodation specified in paragraph 1(a) of Schedule 1 to the UC Housing Costs Regulations.

Meaning of “specified renters” N.I.

27.—(1) For the purposes of paragraph 26 “ specified renter” means a renter in respect of whom all of the following conditions are met.

(2) The first condition is that the renter is a single person (or a member of a couple claiming as a single person) who—

(a) is under 35 years old, and

(b) is not an excepted person under paragraph 28.

(3) The second condition is that the renter is not responsible for any children or qualifying young persons.

(4) The third condition is that no person is a non-dependant in relation to the renter.

Renters excepted from shared accommodation N.I.

28.—(1) “ Excepted person” means any renter (“E”) who falls within any of sub-paragraphs (2) to [F1 (5A)].

(2) E is at least 18 but under [F2 25 years] old and was a care leaver (within the meaning of regulation 8) before reaching the age of 18.

(3) E is at least [F3 16] but under 35 years old and—

(a) has, for a total of at least 3 months (whether or not continuously), lived in one or more hostels for homeless people, and

(b) whilst E was living in such a hostel, was offered and has accepted support services which the Department considers are intended to assist E to be rehabilitated or resettled within the community.

(4) E is under 35 years old and is in receipt of—

(a) the care component of disability living allowance at the middle or highest rate;

(b) attendance allowance, or

(c) the daily living component of personal independence payment.

(5) E is under 35 years old and he is the subject of risk management pursuant to arrangements established under Part 3 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland ) Order 2008 M1

[F4 (5A) E is under 35 years old and satisfies the foster carer condition (within the meaning of paragraph 11(4)).]

(6) In this paragraph—

• “care home”, “registered charity” and “voluntary organisation” have the meaning given in Schedule 1;

• “hostel” means a building—

  (a)

  in which there is provided, for persons generally or for a class of persons, domestic accommodation, otherwise than in separate and self-contained premises, and either board or facilities for the preparation of food adequate to the needs of those persons, or both;

  (b)

  which is—

  (i)

  managed or owned by a registered housing association,

  (ii)

  operated other than on a commercial basis and in respect of which funds are provided wholly or in part by a government department or agency, the Housing Executive or a Regional Health and Social Care Board or Health and Social Care Trust , or

  (iii)

  managed by a voluntary organisation or registered charity and provides care, support or supervision with a view to assisting those persons to be rehabilitated or resettled within the community, and

  (c)

  which is not a care home;

• “hostel for homeless people” means a hostel the main purpose of which is to provide accommodation together with care, support or supervision for homeless people with a view to assisting such persons to be rehabilitated or resettled within the community.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in Sch. 4 para. 28(1) substituted (28.11.2018) by The Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (S.R. 2018/187), regs. 1(2), 3(8)(c)(i)

F2 Words in Sch. 4 para. 28(2) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Housing Benefit and Universal Credit (Care Leavers and Homeless) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/118), regs. 1, 3(2)(a)

F3 Word in Sch. 4 para. 28(3) substituted (31.5.2021) by The Housing Benefit and Universal Credit (Care Leavers and Homeless) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/118), regs. 1, 3(2)(b)

F4 Sch. 4 para. 28(5A) inserted (28.11.2018) by The Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (S.R. 2018/187), regs. 1(2), 3(8)(c)(ii)

Marginal Citations

M1 S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I.1).