Working out your LHA

To work out how much benefit you are entitled to you need to know how many bedrooms you are entitled to and which Local Housing Allowance rate applies to you.

How many bedrooms?

The number of people who live with you is used to work out how many bedrooms you are entitled to. Other rooms, such as living room, kitchen or bathroom are not counted.  You are entitled to one bedroom for each of the following:

• Every couple (married or unmarried)
• Any other person aged over 16
• Any two children of the same sex aged under 16
• Any two children aged less than 10
• Any other child

Since April 2011, the maximum rate a person is entitled to, is 4 bedrooms. For further information on the changes, please visit our Housing Benefit Changes from 1 April 2011 page.

Example

Susan is a single mother who has three children, Tom, who is fourteen, Judy, who is eleven and Raymond, who is six.

Susan is entitled to one bedroom for her self, one bedroom for Judy and one bedroom for Tom and Raymond to share.  This means any benefit they are entitled to will be based on the Local Housing Allowance for three bedrooms.

Local Housing Allowance Rates

We will publish the Local Housing Allowances rates each month. These will be displayed on the Allowance Rates page of our website and in our Customer Service Centres. A copy can be obtained direct from us by calling 01865 249811.

Others things that may affect the amount of LHA you are entitled to

• Your income
• Your savings
• If any one aged 18 or over lives with you
• If you have a joint tenancy
• The amount of your rent

What if your rent is not covered in full by the Local Housing Allowance rate that applies to you?

If your rent is more than your LHA rate you will have to pay the difference yourself.

Other options are:

• Negotiate a lower rent with your Landlord
• Look for cheaper accommodation
• Look for employment/training opportunities

For further information visit our Housing Benefit Changes from 1 April 2011 page.

What will happen if you use your benefit for something else?

Your benefit is for you to pay your rent with. If you do not use your benefit to pay your rent, your landlord may take you to court or try to evict you and you may lose your home.

What else might affect the local Housing Allowance rate?

There are extra rules if you are:

• Aged 35 or over, are single and do not live with any dependants
• Aged less than 35, are single and do not live with any dependants
• A couple and do not live with any dependants
• You are a care leaver aged under 22
• You are severely disabled

More Information

You can also visit the LHA - Direct website which enables tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord to calculate the possible amount of Housing Benefit available to them.

Page last reviewed 24 January 2012