Overview
Universal credit has a housing element to help you pay:
- rent
- some service charges
It is not the same as housing benefit but it is worked out in a similar way.
How your housing element is paid
You usually get the housing element as part of your monthly UC payment.
You should pay the full rent to your landlord or letting agent.
UC is paid to you in arrears. It takes at least 5 weeks to get any money when you first claim.
After the first payment, you should get your UC on the same day each month.
If you would like your rent to be paid directly to your landlord, you can ask for your universal credit housing element to be paid straight to your landlord if you:
- find it hard to budget
- miss rent payments
You can:
- call the UC helpline on 0800 328 5644
- ask in your online UC journal or at a jobcentre appointment
You can do this when you apply for UC or any time after.
Your landlord can ask to be paid direct if you owe at least 2 months’ rent.
How much is your housing element?
Your housing element is affected by how many bedrooms you can claim for. This depends on who you live with and their:
- age
- sex
- disability
- relationship to you
Find out about how many bedrooms you can get benefits for.
Renting privately
If you rent privately your housing element is worked out using local housing allowance (LHA) rates.
LHA rates are different depending on where you live in the UK.
Most single renters under 35 can only get the shared accommodation rate. This means you probably need to look for a room in a shared house or a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
Council and housing association tenants
Your housing element is based on your actual rent. Some service charges are also covered.
You have to pay the bedroom tax if you have more bedrooms than the rules say you can. This means you get less benefits to help with rent.
Joint tenancies
Your housing element is based on your full rent if you claim UC with your partner.
Tell the DWP if your relationship breaks down.
Your housing element should be based on your full rent if your ex partner moves out and stops paying rent.
If you have a joint private tenancy with someone who is not your partner, your housing element is based on either:
- your LHA rate
- your actual share of the rent
Your UC housing element is worked out using the lowest of these amounts.
Joint tenants are responsible for the whole of the rent, not just your own share.
Proof of tenancy
You need to show proof that you have to pay rent. For example, a tenancy agreement. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirms this with your landlord.
You cannot get the housing element in these situations:
- you pay rent to a close relative who you live with
- the DWP decides your agreement is ‘non commercial’
They might decide it’s a ‘non commercial’ agreement if, for example, the rent is very low or the landlord takes no action if you miss rent payments.
Deductions for other adults who live with you
The DWP expects adults who live in your home to help with your rent. For example, an adult child who still lives at home. The DWP calls these people ‘non dependants’.
Your housing element is reduced by £96.55 a month for any non dependants who live with you.
Ask your family member or friend if they can help with at least this amount each month.
Last Updated on May 27, 2026 by Ashford Advice