Petition · Department for Work and Pensions

Exempt parents in work from the under-35 Shared Accommodation Rate

Open for signatures 27 signatures

What the petition asks

Exempt working parents from the under-35 Shared Accommodation Rate renting privately. We believe the Government should reform Universal Credit housing rules so that full-time working adults who pay tax and hold parental responsibility are not penalised solely on the basis of age.
The Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) assumes under-35s can share housing. But we think working adults paying full tax and holding parental responsibility cannot fulfil those duties from a shared room as a parent must provide a safe, private space for a visiting child. In our view, the SAR makes this financially impossible, punishing equal contribution with unequal rights.

We believe this policy breaches the Equality Act 2010 and Articles 8 and 14 of the ECHR.

Timeline

2 Jul 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 27
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 2 Jul 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.