A non-dependant is a person who lives with you but is not liable for paying rent under a formal arrangement.
If you live with a non-dependant your housing benefit, universal credit housing element and council tax reduction may be reduced through rules on non-dependant deductions. In universal credit these are called housing cost contributions.
Who counts as a non-dependant?
A non-dependant is a person who:
- resides with you; and
- is over 18; and
- is not your partner or dependent child; and
- is not liable for paying the rent (or council tax for council tax support/reduction)
Universal credit
Under universal credit rules, there is a flat rate contribution (deduction) each month regardless of the non-dependant’s income, for 2023/24 this is £85.73 a month.
There will be no contribution expected of non-dependants who are under 21, there will also be no contribution expected of non-dependants who are 21 or over and:
- receiving pension credit
- receiving the care component of disability living allowance at the middle or highest rate
- receiving the daily living component of personal independence payment
- receiving attendance allowance
- receiving carer’s allowance
- the primary carer for a child aged 4 or under
Housing benefit
When calculating housing benefit, the rate of non-dependant deduction depends on whether the non-dependant is a student or claims benefits (and which one), or works more than 16 hours a week and, if so, their gross income.
You can find out more about what this may mean for you and further information about exemptions here.