Full Details of First Bedroom Tax Tribunal Rulings

The first tribunal rulings on bedroom tax appeals have emerged.  Four out of five appeals brought with the assistance of Fife Law Centre have been upheld. The rulings have provoked fierce debate in the sector as to the extent to which tribunals will take room size and intended use into account when assessing councils’ housing benefit awards. The rulings raise questions about the extent to which councils should rely on housing association data when deciding what a bedroom is for the purposes of the under-occupation penalty.  Read the outcome of all five rulings on Inside Housing.

DWP Mulls Fresh Bedroom Tax Advice

The Department for Work and Pensions is considering issuing fresh guidance to councils and tribunals following four successful appeals against the bedroom tax. It will consider whether Fife Council or the first-tier tribunal misunderstood the bedroom tax process. Although they do not set a legal precedent, campaigners argue the rulings will provide fresh hope for tenants who believe they are unfairly affected. A tenant of Kingdom Housing Association had her appeal against Fife Council’s decision to cut her benefit upheld by a first-tier tribunal following a hearing on 26 August.  Read more on Inside Housing.