Local housing allowance (LHA) rates
The LHA Rates are provided by the Valuation Office Agency each April and detail the maximum housing benefit a person can get. The amount a person will actually receive depends on their income and savings.
A claimant's LHA will normally be reviewed every April at the same time as their benefits increase. However if a claimant's rent is below the LHA rate, and they have a rent increase mid year, then the council can amend their benefit award from the date of the rent increase. Their award of housing benefit would increase to the lower of:
- The new rent charged, or
- The previous April's LHA rate
If you have any queries please contact us.
How many bedrooms does a household need?
One bedroom is allowed for:
- Every adult who is single
- Every adult couple
- Any two children under the age of 10
- Any two children of the same sex under the age of 16
- Any other child
Please note that if you need more than four bedrooms, the rate of LHA used in the calculation of housing benefit will be restricted to the four bedroom rate.
Most young people under the age of 35 will have their housing benefit assessed on the LHA rate for one bedroom in a shared house.
Last updated: 05 December 2019