These Regulations amend the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 and the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006.

Regulation 2 amends the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006. Paragraph (3) amends regulation 13D which sets out how a maximum rent (LHA) is to be calculated. Paragraph (2) of that regulation is amended so that the appropriate category of dwelling to which a claimant is entitled is limited to a maximum of five bedrooms.

Paragraph (2) inserts regulation 12L which provides transitional protection of up to 26 weeks for certain claimants whose housing benefit is calculated by reference to a local housing allowance rate for a property with six or more bedrooms.

Regulation 3 makes equivalent amendments to the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006.

A full impact assessment has not been published for this instrument as it has no impact on the private or voluntary sectors.