Local Housing Allowance

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the rate we use to calculate Housing Benefit for tenants who rent from private landlords.

LHA rates are based on the number of bedrooms your household needs

Use the bedroom calculator to find out your level of LHA.

Local Housing Allowance rates

Local Housing Allowance rules do not apply to people who:

• live in house boats, mobile homes, or caravans
• have a landlord registered with a Housing Association
• have regulated tenancies or registered rent
• rent includes a large amount for board and attendance
• have a landlord who owns a charitable or voluntary organisation that provides care, support, or supervision
• have shared ownership.

In these cases, we may have to ask the Rent Service to look at whether the rent is too high for the property or the area you live in, or if the property is too large for your needs.

To find out more, visit GOV.UK.

If you are under 35 years old and live alone, you get the shared accommodation rate of LHA unless you are:

• a care leaver
• a couple with no children
• on the middle or highest rate of a Disability Living Allowance
• on the middle or highest rate of Personal Independence Payments
• entitled to a severe disability premium
• a former habitant of a hostel for at least three months
• an ex-offender who is subject to a Multi-Agency Public Protection order (MAPPA)
• a victim of domestic abuse
• a victim of modern slavery.
  

An extra bedroom may be allowed if you:

• have a severely disabled child who needs their own room
• need overnight care from a non-resident carer
• have an adult child who is in the armed forces and plans to return home
• are a couple that cannot share a bedroom because of a disability.

Housing Benefit will be paid directly you into your bank account. In some circumstances we may decide to pay the landlord.

We will pay your landlord if:

• we think you have or will have difficulty managing your finances
• we don't think you will pay your rent
• you're eight weeks or more behind with your rent
• it will help you secure or keep your tenancy.

To request payments to be made directly to the landlord, complete the direct payment of Housing Benefit to landlord form.

If the amount of Housing Benefit we award you does not cover your full rent, you may be eligible for a​ Discretionary Housing Payment.