What are the Local Housing Allowance rates and do they ever change?
With effect from the 1 April 2012, Local Housing Allowance rates will be published on an annual basis. The rates are published on our website.
Your tenant will receive the Local Housing Allowance rate applicable when their claim starts. This rate will apply for 12 months after which it will be reviewed unless there is a change of circumstance mid year such as:
- a change of address
- a break in entitlement of one week or more
- a change to household that would affect their LHA rate i.e. Non dependent moving in
If the LHA rate has changed when the review takes place your tenant will start to receive the new revised rate.
Please note a rent increase is not a change of circumstance that will trigger a review of the LHA rate in payment.
Please use this link to view the current Local Housing Allowance rates .
If your tenant makes a new claim for Housing Benefit and the rent they are charged is less than the Local Housing rate that applies to them, the maximum amount of benefit they can possibly receive is the amount of rent they are charged.