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Council and Democracy- Benefits
- Local Housing Allowance
Local Housing Allowance
From 7 April 2008 housing benefit for people who rent properties from private landlords has changed and is calculated on the basis of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rules. The LHA rules are intended to make housing benefit simpler, fairer and to give claimants personal responsibility for paying their rent.
What is Local Housing Allowance (LHA)?
LHA is a new way of working out housing benefit and aims to help people on a low income, who live in property rented from a private landlord, pay their rent. The LHA rate that applies to you depends on the area in which you live and the number of bedrooms your household needs. It represents the maximum amount of housing benefit you may be entitled to. The actual amount of housing benefit payable depends on your income, capital and household circumstances.
Will LHA affect me?
LHA affects anyone who lives in private rented accommodation and makes a new claim for housing benefit after 7 April 2008.
Existing claimants will not be affected by LHA unless they change address or have a break in their claim after 7 April 2008.
View current LHA rates now:
View Local Housing Allowance rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How will the rate of LHA be calculated ?
- How many bedrooms do I need?
- How is housing benefit paid under the LHA rules?
- Who is exempt from the LHA rules?
- I don't have a bank account, what can I do?
- What if I cannot manage to pay the rent myself?
- What if my rent is lower than the LHA rate?
- What if my rent is higher than the LHA rate?
- How do I claim housing benefit under the LHA rules?
- View current LHA rates
Information and advice leaflets
