FYE v Middlesborough City Coucil and GPZ v Sunderland City Council (HB): [2026] UKUT 157 (AAC)

Upper Tribunal Administrative Appeals Chamber decision by Judge Jacobs on 20 April 2026.

• From: HM Courts & Tribunals Service and Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
• Published: 29 April 2026

• Categories: Housing and council tax benefits
• Sub-categories: Housing and council tax benefits - liability, commerciality and contrivance [regulations 8 and 9]
• Judges: Jacobs, E
• Decision date: 20 April 2026

Read the full decision in UA-2024-001199-HB and UA-2024-001252-HB.

Judicial Summary

Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 – regulation 9(1)(l) – First-tier Tribunal found that the liability of the claimants had been created to take advantage of the scheme – nature of test as involving findings of fact and an evaluative judgment – evidence from decision-makers not required – significance of nature of test on appeal on point of law to the Upper Tribunal – no error of law identified.

Published 29 April 2026