Housing Benefit information for people renting from a private landlord

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

The LHA rules do not apply if you are a:

Tenant who has received Housing Benefit before April 7th 2008, and you have not moved or had a break in your claim.
Registered Social Landlord tenant (including a Tristar Homes tenant)
Tenant who lives in a caravan or houseboat

If meals are included in your rent the LHA rules do not usually apply either.

Maximum LHA
Under LHA rules the maximum benefit you can get depends on the number of bedrooms needed by you and the people in your home. 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.

Examples:
Single parent with one child - 2 bedroom LHA rate.
Couple with 1 girl aged 6 and 1 boy aged 8 - 2 bedroom LHA rate.
Couple with 1 girl aged 6 and 1 boy aged 12 - 3 bedroom LHA rate.

Special rules apply to single people under 35 and those who live in shared accommodation.

Use the Bedroom Calculator to work out the number of bedrooms you need.

LHA Rates
The Valuation Office Agency has set the LHA rates from April 2012 for each different bedroom size property. The LHA rates apply until the end of March 2013.

The amount of LHA you are awarded will depend on your income and savings. If your rent exceeds your LHA you will need to pay the shortfall. If you have particular reasons why you have difficulty paying your rent you may qualify for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

LHA will be paid to you in most cases and you will need to arrange to pay your landlord. The section Paying LHA contains further information.

The leaflet A guide to Local Housing Allowance contains further information. If you would like a copy call our Helpline on (01642) 393829.