Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Paying Local Housing Allowance

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will be paid to you and you will have to arrange to pay your landlord. You will no longer have the choice of direct payments to your landlord.

Payments will normally be made direct to your bank account every two weeks for the previous two weeks.

Only in certain and limited circumstances will payment be made to your landlord. These include:

• if you are in arrears with your rent by 8 weeks or more
• if it is deemed you are 'unlikely to pay' your rent , or
• if you have difficulty managing your money.

Payments can also be made direct to your landlord if we consider it will help you to secure a new tenancy or to remain in your home. In order to show the tenancy has been secured or retained, the rent level must be reduced to an affordable level, usually the level of the Local Housing Allowance rate.

If your LHA is paid to your landlord, we will send the payment every 4 weeks for the previous four weeks.

Difficulty Managing your money?
If you have difficulty managing your money and would like your LHA to be paid to your landlord you must apply in writing. Complete the application form below and send it to us straight away. We will consider each case on an individual basis and will make our decision as soon as possible.

You can contact us if you need any help to complete the form.

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• Money Advice Service - Bank Accounts