Information for Private Tenants

Local Housing Allowance

Local Housing Allowance is a scheme for calculation of Housing Benefit for deregulated private tenants. From 9 February 2004, tenants have been paid an allowance based on the number of rooms they are entitled to. This figure is calculated in reference to the number of people in the family group, regardless of where you live within the authority.

Those who are receiving the allowance will have it paid directly to them, and so will need to set up a bank account. If the claimant wishes and has given their written consent, the Council will also inform the landlord that payment is being made direct to the tenant and when that payment commences.  In cases where the claimant is considered 'vulenrable' then the payments can be made to the landlord.  For further information on this please see our leaflet, 'Vulnerability - a guide for claimants' on our Useful Leaflets page.

Room Calculator

Online Rooms Calculator  - this link will calculate the number of rooms you will be allocated.  (Link provided by lha-direct.voa.gov.uk).

Rates of Payment

The rates from September 2010 will be based on bedrooms only.

* This applies to mose people under the age of 25 with no dependants and most people/couples over the age of 25 who choose to live in shared accomodation with no dependants.

The rate will be dependant on the accommodation you require. This is a means tested benefit and the rates shown are the maximum entitlements.

You can also find out the LHA Rates from your telephone by ringing (01472) 323878 and at lha-direct.voa.gov.uk . There is a recorded message giving the current rates, this line will only be updated if the rates change.

Size Criteria

The size criteria is calculated by working down this list, with one bedroom for:

• Every adult couple
• Any other adult aged 16 or over
• Any two children under the age of 10
• Any two children of the same sex aged 0-15
• Any other child

Where to find out more on Local Housing Allowance rates and the Size Criteria:

• Council Offices
• Libraries
• Community Centres
• Job Centres
• Housing Related Charities
• Advice Centres
• Or telephone our Housing Benefit Department on 01472 323720

You can gain advice on this from both:

• The Department for Work and Pensions www.dwp.gov.uk
• The Rent Service lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

LHA Newsletters

The following files are our LHA Tenants Newsletters.    If you require any hard copies or have any suggestions for articles for future issues please contact Kim Mason, Policy Performance and Liaison Officer on (01472) 325327 or via email to benefits@nelincs.gov.uk