Under occupancy charge/spare room subsidy
The amount you receive for your housing costs may not cover your whole rent charge.
One factor may be due to the size of house you live in. If you have more rooms than your household needs, your Universal Credit housing cost payment can be reduced. This is called ‘spare room subsidy’ (under occupancy charge).
Your housing costs will be reduced by:
- 14% if you have one spare bedroom
- 25% if you have two or more spare bedrooms
In Scotland, you may be able to get help to pay the spare room subsidy, by applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) to cover the reduction in your Housing Costs.
To do this you should apply for Council Tax Reduction. This will automatically award any DHP due or contact Revenues and Benefits.
Council Tax
Council Tax is charged on domestic properties. The amount you have to pay depends upon the valuation band in which your property falls, which is set by the Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board.
The Council Tax year starts on the 1 April. Council Tax bills are issued to every household during March. Payments are due on the 1st of each month and are collected over 10 months, from April to January.
Certain discounts and/or exemptions can be applied to Council Tax accounts. If your income is low, you might also qualify for a Council Tax reduction.
If you move home or anything changes which might affect any discounts, exemptions or reductions, you must report this straight away to the Revenues and Benefits Section.
If you need further information or help, please contact the Revenues and Benefits Section.