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Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a way of working out claims for Housing Benefit from tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord.

LHA will not affect you if you rent from the Council or a Housing Association; if your tenancy started before 1989; if you rent a caravan; or live in a hotel or hostel. 

  • Local Housing Allowance rates were frozen from April 2012.
  • The Government changed the rules on 1st January 2012:
  • single claimants under 35 years making a new claim, will only receive the shared accommodation rate
  • current single claimants under 35 years will receive the shared accommodation rate when their claim is next reviewed
  • this new rule does not apply to couples, claimants with children, claimants with middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance
  • there are some other very limited exemptions

Download or view the documents below.

Housing benefit application forms

For help, information or an application form phone: (01786) 233210 or email Financial Services

Full details about Local Housing Allowance are available from the Department of Work and Pensions

Last updated: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 2:55 PM