A judicial review of the bedroom tax has been given permission, where the claimant is a victim of domestic violence who has received support to remain in her home through a ‘sanctuary scheme’.

The woman, a victim of rape, assault, harassment and stalking by an ex-partner, lives in a three bed property with her 11 year old son and has had a 14% reduction in HB applied. The property had been previously adapted under the ‘sanctuary scheme’, with a ‘panic space’ installed in her home, and a specialist ‘sanctuary system’ installed.  This includes expensive reinforced doors, electric alarms, a marker on the house and alarms linked to the police station.

The Claimant argues that the DWP has failed to take into account the disproportionate impact of the ‘bedroom tax’ upon victims of domestic violence, who are overwhelmingly women, and in particular those in Sanctuary Scheme homes. The DWP opposed permission being granted, but lost.

Some further details of the case are at Doughty Street and at HMB solicitors