Notify us of any significant changes to housing benefit such as the number of household members, rent, charges or income

You must inform the housing benefit authority immediately if

• your total income has increased by more than 15 per cent,
• your rent or charge (in the case of residential property) has been reduced by more than 15 per cent (excluding heating costs),
• the number of household members has changed,
• the number of household members excluded from housing benefit increases,
• a member of the household to be taken into account applies for transfer benefits (e.g. citizen's allowance, assistance with living expenses, basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity, BAföG) or
• at least one household member to be taken into account moves (also in the same house)

There is also an obligation to notify if the increase in income is due to an increase in the number of household members to be taken into account. The number of household members to be taken into account also increases if the transfer payment of a previously excluded household member is cancelled.

This also applies to corresponding changes for an expired authorisation period, but for a maximum of 3 years before the person entitled to housing benefit or the household members to be taken into account became aware of the change in circumstances.

For details, please refer to the information on notification obligations in your housing benefit notice or ask your local housing benefit office.