Mobile homes and Housing Benefit

The Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) (Scotland) Order 1997 specifies how rent officers shall calculate the local reference rent and the property specific rent, from which the eligible rent for Housing Benefit purposes is derived. This Order states that the local reference rent has to be determined according to the average rent of similar sized shared or self-contained properties in an area. [1] It does not allow for any distinction between caravans and dwelling houses. The local reference rent for a two-bedroom caravan should, therefore be the same as for a two-bedroom dwelling house in the same area. The property specific rent may be lower for caravans, but only if this can be justified having regard to the local market rents for caravans.

It is nonetheless common for rent officers to use a special low local reference rent for mobile homes. This can be challenged by way of review and, if unsuccessful, through a judicial review action raised against the rent officer.