Local Housing Allowance (LHA)
Housing benefit in the private rented sector has been
replaced by the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). These changes
affect how housing benefit is worked out and how it is paid.
LHA makes it your responsibility to pay the rent directly
to your landlord. It only affects tenants in the mainstream
privately rented sector who:
- Make a new claim for housing benefit
- Change address
- Have a break in their housing benefit claim of at least one
week.
If an existing tenant remains in a property and continues to
claim housing benefit continuously, you will continue to be treated
under the existing rules.
Information for tenants
How does it work?
LHA makes it easier for tenants and landlords to find out in
advance how much rent could be covered by way of housing
benefit. The amount of LHA still depends on your
household income and capital but the LHA
figures determine the rent that the benefit calculation is
based upon, and represents the maximum that you could receive.
LHA is based on the rent levels for the area in which you
want to live and on the number of people that live with you. There
is no change to the entitlement rules as these are still be based
on a person's income, saving and proof of rent. See the LHA
rates below for further information.
How to apply
If you think you may be entitled to LHA, you need to complete
and return an
application form. You can also pick up a form from any of
our One Stop Shops, most registered social landlords and advice
agencies or request an application form to be sent by post.
If you are elderly or have mobility problems we can arrange to
visit you in your own home. Please contact us on 0151 443
4042 to arrange a visit.
How much will I receive?
The Rent Service no longer values individual properties. Instead
they set monthly local housing allowance rates for different
size properties within different areas based on the mid point of
rent charged by private landlords.
These areas are called Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMA).
Each local authority has at least one BRMA. There is no right
to appeal against these rates.
Knowsley has 3 separate BRMAs:
- Greater Liverpool - covers Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood and
Knowsley Village
- St Helens - covers Whiston and Prescot
- North Cheshire - covers Cronton
LHA rates are further broken down into room rates and look
at the size of the household, including any non-dependants.
To calculate the size criteria you need to count one bedroom for
the following people:
- A single claimant or every adult couple.
- Any other single adult aged 16 or over.
- Any two children under the age of 10.
- Any two children of the same sex up to age 15.
- Any other child.
Changes to housing benefit
Housing Benefit is changing from 1 January 2012 for
single people.
LHA rates for February 2012
| Category type |
Greater Liverpool |
St Helens |
North Cheshire |
| A - share accommodation 1 bedroom |
£57.50 |
£57.73 |
£54.00 |
| B - 1 bedroom (self contained) |
£92.31 |
£80.77 |
£91.15 |
| C - 2 bedrooms |
£106.15 |
£98.08 |
£105.46 |
| D - 3 bedrooms |
£115.38 |
£111.92 |
£126.92 |
| E - 4 bedrooms |
£150 |
£150 |
£173.08 |
| F - 5 bedrooms |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
- Greater Liverpool - covers Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood and
Knowsley Village
- St Helens - covers Whiston and Prescot
- North Chesire - covers Cronton
Please note: the above rates are valid for the period
1st February 2012 to the 29th February 2012.
Information for landlords
If you are a landlord, take a look at our LHA
landlords frequently asked questions to see how LHA
affects you.
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