Renting a room when you're on Universal Credit is very doable. Most of it is the same as for anyone else, with a few extra steps so your housing costs are paid. Here's the whole journey.
1. Work out what you can afford
- Universal Credit's housing costs are capped at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) for the area. Most single people under 35 get the shared accommodation (room) rate. Check yours with our LHA calculator.
- If the rent is higher than your rate, you pay the difference from the rest of your Universal Credit. On SocialRooms, rooms marked Housing benefit covers the rent are within the room rate for that area.
- Check whether bills are included. If they aren't, budget for gas, electricity, water and internet.
2. Search and enquire
- Search rooms and set up an email alert so you hear about new rooms first.
- Message landlords through SocialRooms. Say when you'd like to move and that you're on Universal Credit: every landlord here welcomes benefits.
- Send the same message to several rooms at once to save time.
3. View the room
Always view before you pay anything. Use our viewing checklist so you don't forget to ask about bills, house rules and the agreement.
4. Before you move in
- Have proof of your benefits ready, such as your latest Universal Credit statement.
- Bring ID. In England, landlords must check your right to rent.
- Get a written tenancy or licence agreement. You'll need it to report your rent.
- If you need help with a deposit or the first month's rent, see help with deposits and moving costs.
5. Report your new rent
- Already on Universal Credit? Report a change of address and your new rent in your online account on the day you move. You'll be asked for your rent amount, service charges and your landlord's details, and you may need to upload your agreement.
- Not claiming yet? Make a claim online as soon as you can. Your claim starts from the day you apply, not the day you're paid.
- Universal Credit is usually paid to you once a month, and you pay the landlord. If you struggle to manage this, ask your work coach about a managed payment, where the housing costs go straight to your landlord.
6. While you wait for your first payment
A new claim usually takes about five weeks to pay out. If you can't manage until then, you can ask for an advance payment, which is paid back in instalments from later payments. Tell your landlord when your first payment is due, and keep a record of what you've paid.