Changes to the Local Housing Allowance from April 2011

There are three basic changes to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) – the amount used to calculate Housing Benefit - which are as follows:-

LHA is now calculated by the Rent Service based on a level whereby 30% of the market is likely to be affordable to Housing benefit recipients – previously this level was set at 50% of the market.

There is no longer a LHA for a 5 bedroom ‘need’ – the maximum is a 4 bedroom need. Any tenants that would previously have been assessed as needing 5 bedrooms will now be entitled to an LHA based on a 4 bedroom need;

There is a cap (maximum amount) on the level of LHA depending on the bedroom need as follows:-

For a tenant with a one bedroom need, the maximum LHA is £250;
For a tenant with a two bedroom need, the maximum LHA is £290;
For a tenant with a three bedroom need, the maximum LHA is £340;
For a tenant with a four bedroom need, the maximum LHA is £400.
Note these figures only apply where the LHA calculated by the Rent Service would be above the caps.

For details of Local Housing Allowance levels in other areas visit the Valuation Office website.

www.direct.gov.uk/LHA_

For information about your personal circumstances visit Brent One Stop Service at one of these locations:

Brent House
349-357 High Road
Wembley
Middlesex
HA9 6BZ

Willesden Local Office
Willesden Green Library
95 Willesden High Road
NW10 2SF

Brent Town Hall
Forty Lane
Wembley
Middlesex
HA9 9HD