§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is being given to rent officers in assessing eligible rent in (1) boarding accommodation and (2) supportive accommodation as a result of the changes being implemented in April of the current year.
§ Mr. TrippierWhere the rent paid by a housing benefit claimant includes an amount in respect of board, the local authority will make a deduction in respect of that amount in accordance with the housing benefit regulations before referring the rent for consideration by the rent officer. Any other services provided—including supportive services—will be identified by the local authority in its application to the rent officer. Under the draft orders now laid before Parliament the rent officer will be required to determine the value within the overall rent of any of those service items which are ineligible for housing benefit.