diff --git a/config/locales/forms/2026/lettings/household_characteristics.en.yml b/config/locales/forms/2026/lettings/household_characteristics.en.yml
index bea86e0d0..ef54b8fe9 100644
--- a/config/locales/forms/2026/lettings/household_characteristics.en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/forms/2026/lettings/household_characteristics.en.yml
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Lead tenant’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes the lead tenant’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_2:
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 2’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 2’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_3:
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 3’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 3’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_4:
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 4’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 4’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_5:
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 5’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 5’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_6:
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 6’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 6’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_7:
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 7’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 7’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_8:
@@ -373,5 +373,5 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 8’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 8’s working situation?"
diff --git a/config/locales/forms/2026/sales/household_characteristics.en.yml b/config/locales/forms/2026/sales/household_characteristics.en.yml
index 1254ecf6a..391185d4b 100644
--- a/config/locales/forms/2026/sales/household_characteristics.en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/forms/2026/sales/household_characteristics.en.yml
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Buyer 1’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes buyer 1’s working situation?"
 
           buy1livein:
@@ -202,13 +202,13 @@ en:
               page_header: ""
               check_answer_label: "Buyer 2’s working situation"
               check_answer_prompt: ""
-              hint_text: ""
+              hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
               question_text: "Which of these best describes buyer 2’s working situation?"
             person:
               page_header: ""
               check_answer_label: "Person 2’s working situation"
               check_answer_prompt: ""
-              hint_text: ""
+              hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
               question_text: "Which of these best describes person 2’s working situation?"
 
           buy2livein:
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 3’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 3’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_4:
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 4’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 4’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_5:
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 5’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 5’s working situation?"
 
           details_known_6:
@@ -400,5 +400,5 @@ en:
             page_header: ""
             check_answer_label: "Person 6’s working situation"
             check_answer_prompt: ""
-            hint_text: ""
+            hint_text: "This is the household member who does the most paid work. If several people do the same amount of paid work, it's the oldest household member. People providing informal care for family and friends who are not in formal employment (but may receive carer's allowance) should answer 'Not seeking work'."
             question_text: "Which of these best describes person 6’s working situation?"