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Local Housing Allowance

From 7 April 2008 Housing Benefit for people who rent properties from private landlords is changing. The new benefit is called Local Housing Allowance (LHA). LHA is intended to make Housing Benefit more simple and fair, but give claimants personal responsibility for paying their rent.

New legislation effective from April 2011 will change some of the information detaile below. These pages will be updated In April 2011. Find out more about the legislation changes.

What is LHA?

LHA is a new way of working out Housing Benefit. It is for people on a low income who rent from private landlords. It is based on the area in which you live and the number of bedrooms you need rather than how much the rent is. The actual amount of LHA payable depends on your financial and personal circumstances in the same way as Housing Benefit.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions