Council reclassifies homes and offers refunds to help residents hit by bedroom tax

More than 800 homes in Leeds are being reclassified by the city council to help residents cope with the bedroom tax. The local authority has sent 837 letters to households making them aware that the number of bedrooms in their properties are to be redesignated. The council says the welfare changes along with the need to ensure its stock is sustainable has prompted the move. Just under a third of the people in the properties that will be changed are affected by under occupation. Properties have been selected for re-designation on the basis of their build type, design and layout. In addition, any tenants that have lost out on their housing benefits through under occupation of these properties will get a refund backdated to 1 April 2013.