Universal credit: Housing cost contributions

You’ll receive less universal credit housing element if you have adults who live with you who count as non-dependants.

What are housing cost contributions?

Housing cost contributions are deductions made from the housing element of your universal credit claim for non-dependants who live with you and are expected to contribute to your rent.

The deduction is currently £72.16 for each non-dependant. 

Non-dependants are usually adults, such as a friend or family member, who live with you. Deductions are made regardless of if they contribute to your rent or not.

There's no deduction made if you're an owner-occupier getting help with your mortgage interest. 

Example

The rent on your council home is £600 per month. Your adult son lives with you and counts as a non-dependant.

The amount of housing costs under universal credit you receive is:

£600 – £72.16 = £527.68

Exemptions from housing cost contributions

There are no deductions if you or your partner are registered as blind or receive:

• PIP - daily living component
• attendance allowance
• DLA - middle or highest rate care component

When non-dependants don’t count

There are no deductions, regardless of their income, for any non-dependant who is:

• under 21
• responsible for a child under 5
• in prison
• a child or stepchild who is serving in the armed forces and away on operations

There are also no deductions for a non-dependant who receives:

• PIP - daily living component
• attendance allowance
• DLA - middle or highest rate care component
• pension credit
• carers allowance