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Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a new way of working out new claims for Housing Benefit (HB) for tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord. It also affects tenants already getting Housing Benefit who move into accommodation rented from a private landlord, on or after 7 April 2008 . If you live in council accommodation or other social housing, Local Housing Allowance will not affect you.
The Rent Service, in conjunction with the Rent Officers Wales and the Rent Registration Service in Scotland, have developed a site to give background information on the introduction of LHA and enable tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord to calculate the possible amount of Housing Benefit available to them from their Local Authority.
Visit the LHA-Direct website
This website has a calculator which will show you the appropriate LHA rate for where you live. Also what size / type of home would be paid for by the HB. It also has some good pdf pages about dentist, schools and local transport relating to specific LHA areas.
Good information from direct.gov Local Housing Allowance : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits
How much will you get
If the rent of the property you have negotiated with your landlord is lower than the LHA rate you will be able to keep any excess benefit upto a maximum of £15 per week. This excess will not normally be taken into account when deciding other benefits. If the rent is higher than the LHA rate you will be required to pay the difference or look for alternative accommodation within the LHA rates.
Entitlement to the LHA is means-tested and you will need to provide a valid tenancy agreement as proof.
LHA-Direct now available
Guidance – Broad Rental Market Areas
The Rent Service, in conjunction with the Rent Officers Wales and the Rent Registration Service in Scotland, have developed a site to give background information on the introduction of LHA and enable tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord to calculate the possible amount of Housing Benefit available to them from their Local Authority.
Visit the LHA-Direct websiteThis website has a calculator which will show you the appropriate LHA rate for where you live. Also what size / type of home would be paid for by the HB. It also has some good pdf pages about dentist, schools and local transport relating to specific LHA areas.
Good information from direct.gov Local Housing Allowance : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits
How much will you get
If the rent of the property you have negotiated with your landlord is lower than the LHA rate you will be able to keep any excess benefit upto a maximum of £15 per week. This excess will not normally be taken into account when deciding other benefits. If the rent is higher than the LHA rate you will be required to pay the difference or look for alternative accommodation within the LHA rates.
Entitlement to the LHA is means-tested and you will need to provide a valid tenancy agreement as proof.
LHA-Direct now available Guidance – Broad Rental Market Areas
