Part 1

Universal credit
CHAPTER 1

Entitlement and awards

Elements of an award

Housing costs
11
1
The calculation of an award of universal credit is to include an amount in respect of any liability of a claimant to make payments in respect of the accommodation they occupy as their home.
2
For the purposes of subsection (1)—
a
the accommodation must be in Great Britain;
b
the accommodation must be residential accommodation;
c
it is immaterial whether the accommodation consists of the whole or part of a building and whether or not it comprises separate and self-contained premises.
3
Regulations may make provision as to—
a
what is meant by payments in respect of accommodation for the purposes of this section (and, in particular, the extent to which such payments include mortgage payments);
b
circumstances in which a claimant is to be treated as liable or not liable to make such payments;
c
circumstances in which a claimant is to be treated as occupying or not occupying accommodation as their home (and, in particular, for temporary absences to be disregarded);
d
circumstances in which land used for the purposes of any accommodation is to be treated as included in the accommodation.
4
Regulations are to provide for the determination or calculation of any amount to be included under this section.
5
Regulations may—
a
provide for exceptions to subsection (1);
b
provide for inclusion of an amount under this section in the calculation of an award of universal credit—
i
to end at a prescribed time, or
ii
not to start until a prescribed time.