Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the rate we use to calculate Housing Benefit for tenants who rent from private landlords.
The rate is set by the government.
The benefit is paid directly into your bank or building society account. You can choose to receive it every two or four weeks.
If you do not pay your rent, your landlord can apply to us to have it paid directly to them.
| Entitlement | Weekly amount | Monthly amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shared-accommodation rate | £97 | £421.49 |
| One-bedroom rate | £178.36 | £775.02 |
| Two-bedroom rate | £195.62 | £850.02 |
| Three-bedroom rate | £218.63 | £950 |
| Four-bedroom rate | £299.18 | £1,300.01 |
Check your entitlement
The government’s Local Housing Allowance bedroom calculator can help you work out which rate you are entitled to.
In most cases, you're entitled to one bedroom for:
- every adult couple, regardless of marital status
- any other adult aged 16 or older
- any two children of the same sex aged under 16
- any two children aged under 10
- any other child
If you live in a single room in a shared property, your allowance will be based on the shared-accommodation rate. This also applies if you share the room with your partner.
If you live in a self-contained property, or in two or more rooms in a shared property, your allowance rate will be based on the number of bedrooms you are entitled to, up to a maximum of four.
If you’re under 35 and live alone your allowance will be based on the shared-accommodation rate regardless of what type of property you live in. If you receive the severe-disability premium in your applicable amount, your allowance will be based on the one-room rate.
If you or your partner are severely disabled and have no dependants, your allowance will be based on the one-bedroom rate regardless of what type of property you live in.
If you or your partner are a care leaver aged under 25 and have no dependants, your allowance will be based on the one-bedroom rate regardless of what type of property you live in. A care leaver is someone who was in council care after the age of 15.
The amount of benefit you receive can be affected by other factors including:
- your income, any money you have coming in, and any savings you have
- how much rent you pay
- other tenants who are not part of your family and contribute to your rent
