Local Housing Allowance

Local Housing Allowance is a form of Housing Benefit for tenants who rent their home from a private landlord.

All new claims for Housing Benefit from tenants renting from a private landlord are worked out using the Local Housing Allowance rules.

If a tenant started getting Housing Benefit before 7 April 2008, they will not come under the Local Housing Allowance rules until:

they move address to a home rented from a private landlord, or
they have a break in their claim - (they stop claiming Housing Benefit for at least one week)

Under Local Housing Allowance rules the maximum Housing Benefit a person can get depends on the number of bedrooms they need. One bedroom is needed for;

each adult couple
any other adult (aged 16 or over)
any two children under 10
any two children of the same sex aged 10 to 15, or
for any other child

up to a maximum of 4 bedrooms. Special rules apply to single people under 35 and those who live in shared accommodation.

The Local Housing Allowance rates are published each month. This means both tenants and landlords know in advance of renting the property how much rent might be covered by Housing Benefit. However, the amount of benefit awarded will depend on the income and savings of the tenant.

The leaflet A guide to Local Housing Allowance for Landlords contains further information. If you need any additional information please contact us.

Web Links

Stockton Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

A guide to Local Housing Allowance for Landlords