Freud Urges 'Rational Approach' To Bedroom Definitions

The architect of the Government's welfare reforms has urged social landlords to take a 'rational approach' to bedroom definitions ahead of housing benefit changes due in next year.  In April, it was revealed the Government is set to leave out the definition of a bedroom in its published regulations.  Lord Freud said he expected a range of things to happen as providers looked to support tenants ahead of the rule changes next April.  He said he would be "leaving it to the industry" to define bedrooms but that he didn't expect wholesale effects. He said: "We're going to leave it to the industry to work out. In practice people can take a view. If someone wants to rent something out as a three-bed and when they look at it rather closely, one room is a box room and that they'd better look at doing it as a two-bed - it's up to them. They'll have to reduce the rent. They must take a rational decision on it."  Read more on 24dash.