Local housing allowance for private tenants
With the introduction of Universal Credit , you can only make a new claim for Local Housing Allowance (LHA) if you are either of state pension age or living in supported accommodation.
If you are renting a property or room from a private landlord, LHA is used to work out how much Housing Benefit you will receive. It affects tenants who already receive Housing Benefit and move to accommodation owned by a private landlord.
It does not apply to people who live in council or housing association properties.
To claim LHA, you will need to complete the online application form below:
Alternatively, complete the downloadable Local housing allowance and Council Tax Support application form (PDF).
The amount of allowance you will receive is based on the following:
- Who lives with you
- Which area you live in
- How much money you have coming in
- What savings you have
In some cases, the amount of allowance you are entitled to will be affected by other things, including:
- How much your rent is
- Whether anyone living with you is expected to contribute to your rent