Universal Credit Housing Costs Element - Can I get Universal Credit housing costs element?

You can only get help with housing costs through Universal Credit if you are eligible to receive Universal Credit. You can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to check if you can get it.

Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator

Tenant

If you are a tenant you have to be the person who is responsible for paying the rent to get help with your housing costs.

If you are separating from your partner, and they are the person named on the tenancy, but you are the person actually living in the property, you should be able to get help with rent payments. If Universal Credit refuses to help with your rent payments, get advice.

You will not usually qualify for help with housing costs if you live in the home of a close relative, unless you are also named on the tenancy.

Homeowner

If you are a homeowner you might be able to get help with service charges. To be able to get this help, you must not have any earned income. If you are making a claim as a couple, if either of you have any earned income, of any amount, you will not qualify for a housing costs element.

Owner-occupiers who are leaseholders can still receive help with some service charges through Universal Credit Housing Costs Help. Owner-occupiers with a mortgage have the option of applying for a Support for Mortgage Interest Loan for help with the mortgage interest.

Temporary or Supported Accommodation

If the council has placed you in temporary housing because you are homeless, or you live somewhere with on-site support, you can't get help with your rent from Universal Credit. You will need to claim Housing Benefits from your local council instead. Read more information in the Housing Benefits guide.