The amount of local housing allowance (LHA) you will
receive is based on the area you live in and how many people live
in your home.
In April 2011 the Government introduced changes to the LHA
scheme. Details of these changes and how they could affect you can
be found in our
housing benefit changes leaflet (pdf,
Aug 11, 97KB).
The following documents also outline the changes in more
detail:
If you live in a property where the rent is
higher than the amount of LHA you are entitled to
you will receive only the LHA payment and must contribute the
difference.
LHA payments will usually be made directly to you rather than
your landlord.
However, payments can be made directly to the landlord for
tenants who have difficulties looking after money. For more
information about this read our
safeguarding policy (pdf, Jul 11,
124KB).
At the end of August 2011 we will be writing to tenants in
privately rented accommodation who get housing benefit and to
landlords outlining the changes.
Copies of these letters are below:
Who can apply?
Anyone who currently rents from a
private landlord will not be entitled to LHA until you
make a brand
new claim
for housing benefit or change your address to another privately
rented property.
The LHA payments will be reviewed annually to take into
account rent increases.
Who can't apply?
The LHA scheme is not available for:
- housing
association tenants
- supported
housing tenants
- crown tenants
- private tenants who started renting their current property
before 15 January 1989
- tenants living in caravans, houseboats or hostels
Information about housing benefit is also available on the
DirectGov website.
For more information contact
our housing and
council tax benefit customer services
team.
