Local Housing Allowance

If you are renting a property or room from a private landlord Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is used to work out how much Housing Benefit you receive. A LHA rate is included in your claim which is based on the number of bedrooms allowed for the size of your household.

How much you will get?

Your Housing Benefit will be based on

• your and your partner's savings (if you have one)
• the LHA rate that applies to you /the rent you pay (if this is lower than the LHA rate).
• the money you and your partner (if you have one) have coming in
• your circumstances, such as your age, the ages and size of your family, whether you or any of your family are disabled, and whether anyone who lives with you could help with the rent.

Who will LHA apply to?

It will apply to claimants who rent from a private landlord.

It will not apply to you if

• you are a housing association tenant
• you have a tenancy that started before 1989, or
• you live in a caravan, mobile home, hostel or house boat
• the Rent Officer has decided that a substantial part of your rent is for board and attendance

LHA may not apply to you if you live in supported housing.

If you have been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008 LHA will only apply to you if you:

• change address
• have a break in your claim

What are the current LHA Rates?

LHA rates are set for different types of accommodation in each Broad Rental Market area (BRMA) by the Rent Officer Service. In Torfaen there is one BRMA which covers the borough boundaries exactly. The LHA rates from 1 April 2022 are as follows:

If your Housing Benefit entitlement does not fully meet your rent and you are having difficulties meeting the shortfall you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment .

Further information is available in the:

• Local Housing Allowance Leaflet (for claimants)
• Local Housing Allowance Leaflet (for landlords)
• Local Housing Allowance Room & Rate Calculator