Glossary
Suitable alternative accommodation
In one sentence
The comparison a council must use before cutting an exempt accommodation rent as unreasonably high.
In Birmingham City Council v SS and SA (2016), the Court of Appeal said the council only needs to compare with suitable alternative accommodation, meaning housing that meets the resident's needs, including support.
Related terms
Where it comes up
- What is exempt accommodation?Exempt accommodation is supported housing where the landlord is a housing association, registered charity, voluntary organisation or non-metropolitan county council, and that landlord, or someone acting for it, gives the resident more than minimal care, support or supervision. Housing Benefit pays the rent, and the usual local rent caps do not apply.
- The four categories of specified accommodationSpecified accommodation is the group of supported housing types where rent is paid through Housing Benefit, even for people on Universal Credit. There are four categories. Exempt accommodation, managed properties, domestic abuse refuges and local authority hostels. Each has its own tests for who the landlord can be and whether support is required.
- Rent, service charges and Housing Benefit in supported housingHousing Benefit in supported housing covers the core rent plus eligible service charges, such as cleaning and lighting communal areas, furniture and intensive housing management. It does not cover support, counselling, personal care, water charges or most personal fuel and food. Councils expect a line-by-line breakdown showing how each charge is calculated and why it is eligible.