(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations confer functions on the Executive in connection with universal credit.
Regulations 3 and 4 confer functions relating to the determination of the local housing allowances, which will be used in calculating the amount of a person's housing costs for universal credit.
Regulation 3 requires that the Executive determines broad rental market areas. These are broad geographical areas containing sufficient properties to enable the Executive to determine local housing allowances for various categories of dwelling.
Regulation 4 requires that the Executive determines local housing allowances each year for each broad rental market area. Schedule 1 sets out the method of calculating the local housing allowance. This will be the local housing allowance determined for that category of dwelling or accommodation on 30th January 2015 or the rent at the 30th percentile where that rent is lower than that allowance.
Regulations 3 and 4 also make transitional provision to establish broad rental market areas and local housing allowances from the day on which these regulations come into force until 7th April following. These will be the broad rental market areas and local housing allowances determined for housing benefit purposes and will form the basis of local housing allowance determinations for subsequent years.
Regulation 5 makes provision for redeterminations of broad rental market area determinations and local housing allowance determinations where the Executive has made an error.
Regulation 6 provides for the means of giving notice, by the Executive, to be in either writing or by electronic means unless the Department requests that notice is given in writing only.
An assessment of the impact of universal credit has been carried out. Copies of the impact assessment may be obtained from the Better Regulation Unit of the Department for Work and Pensions, 2D Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1 9NA. It is also available alongside this instrument and the Explanatory Memorandum on www.legislation.gov.uk.