Rent and council tax support hub
Help with rent and council tax comes from different parts of the UK system and often requires separate applications. This hub covers the main housing support routes, from Universal Credit housing costs and Housing Benefit through to Council Tax Reduction and the Benefit Cap.
Best place to start
Use the main estimator first, then move into the worked examples and explainers that match the change you are trying to understand.
Key facts for 2026/27
- › UC housing element: capped at Local Housing Allowance for private renters
- › Social housing: bedroom rule deductions of 14% (one spare) or 25% (two or more spare)
- › Housing Benefit: mainly for pension-age claimants and specialist accommodation
- › Council Tax Reduction: run locally, rules vary by council
- › Single person discount: 25% off council tax for single-adult households
- › Benefit Cap: £1,835/month outside London, £2,110 inside London (families)
Tools for this topic
Free Universal Credit calculator 2026/27 UK
Free Universal Credit calculator for 2026/27. Estimate UC from earnings, rent, children and savings, including the £6,000, £16,000 and tariff income rules.
Housing Benefit estimator
Check whether a legacy Housing Benefit case may still qualify using weekly rent, income, savings and pension-age status.
Council Tax Reduction estimator
Free Council Tax Reduction calculator for 2026/27: estimate help from your bill, income, benefits and savings. Each council sets its own scheme, so check yours.
Benefit Cap calculator
Check whether your monthly benefits appear to be above the current cap inside or outside Greater London, using the current family and single-adult limits.
Plain-English guides
Help with rent and council tax
UK rent and council tax support 2026/27: Universal Credit housing costs, Housing Benefit eligibility, Council Tax Reduction, the LHA cap and Discretionary Housing Payments explained, with a worked shortfall example.
Universal Credit explained 2026/27, rates, capital limits and working-family rules
Universal Credit guide for 2026/27: rates, work allowance, £6,000 and £16,000 capital limits, tariff income, savings rules and what working families should check next.
Relevant situation guides
Benefits for renters
Benefits for renters 2026/27: Universal Credit housing costs capped at your Local Housing Allowance rate, Housing Benefit for pension-age cases, plus Council Tax Reduction, with a worked rent example.
Benefits for single parents
Single parent benefits 2026/27: Universal Credit work allowance, Child Benefit, childcare support and council tax help, with a full worked example and calculator.
Scenario explainers
What happens to my benefits if my rent increases?
Rent increase and UC 2026/27: the housing element is capped by the Local Housing Allowance for your area, a rent rise above the LHA cap doesn't increase UC. See the LHA rules, benefit cap interactions, and DHP options.
What happens to my benefits if my partner moves in?
Partner moves in and benefits 2026/27: UC switches to a joint claim, savings are assessed jointly, single person council tax discount ends. See what changes, what to report to DWP and by when.