Number of bedrooms 'up to landlords'

“Westminster Council reduced Mr Lall’s housing benefit on the grounds his landlord described the property as having two bedrooms - under national regulations, it is up to the landlord to list the number of bedrooms in a property, not the government or the local authority.

“The housing association changed its assessment shortly before the tribunal case which supported Mr Lall’s argument that the additional room was not a bedroom, but a space to store equipment needed by a disabled person.

“The council had previously invited Mr Lall to apply for a discretionary housing payment to make up the shortfall from the loss of housing benefit stemming from a second bedroom, but he turned this down.

” Westminster Council has a number of measures in place to help those who may be affected by welfare reform, including specialist advisors.”