Local Housing Allowance (LHA)
The way that Housing Benefit is paid to customers who rent private accommodation changed from 7th April 2008. The new scheme is called Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and has been in place for a number of years in some 'pathfinder' authorities in England, Wales and Scotland.
Single claimants aged over 25 years of age or couples with no dependant children will be entitled to the rate of a 2 room property. However, if the claimant chooses to live in a property where all or some of the facilities are shared, for example kitchen, bathroom, living room and so on, they will only be entitled to the Shared Local Housing Allowance.
The two room rate will only apply to any single person over the age of 25 years and couples without children so long as the claimant or partner has exclusive use of:
- Two or more rooms or
- One room, plus a kitchen or facilities for cooking
and a bathroom or toilet.
- What is Local Housing Allowance?
- Who will be affected by the Local Housing Allowance?
- How does LHA affect landlords?
- Why has LHA been introduced?
- When and where will LHA rates be published?
- How are Local Housing Allowance payments worked out?
- What about customers under 25?
- How are single customers aged over 25/ couples with no children affected?
- What is the length of Local Housing Allowance Awards?
- Will mid-year rent increases be taken into account?
- How will payments of Local Housing Allowance be made?
- Will customers have any appeal rights?
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