Local Housing Allowance (LHA) helps private tenants on low income cover their rent through Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
The amount depends on:
Where you live
The number of bedrooms your household needs
The rent you pay
How It Works:
LHA rates are set annually every April by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) based on rental data for your area (Broad Rental Market Area - BRMA). This sets the maximum rent considered for your benefit. If your rent is higher than the LHA rate, you must cover the difference.
Why LHA Matters:
LHA helps low-income tenants renting privately to pay their rent.
It’s a flat rate that’s used to assess Housing Benefit entitlement.
You can use LHA rates to check if a potential rental property is affordable for you. This helps you make informed decisions about your accommodation options.
Check Your LHA Rate:
You can check current LHA rates you may be eligible for by searching by postcode or local authority on LHA-Direct
You can also check how many bedrooms you may be eligible for, based on the number of people in your household.
If you need advice or want to check your eligibility, our helplines are available Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm:
PL/LT/EN: 07521857415
RO/EN: 07730021986
UA/RU/EN: 07718612218