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Local Housing Allowance (LHA)

The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the cornerstone of the government's Housing Benefit reform programme. LHA is an allowance based on the size of the household, the area the property is in and the number of bedrooms required. There are no changes to the entitlement rules - these will be based on household income and savings and proof of a valid tenancy. Payment will normally be to the tenant, who will then pay the landlord.

Each local authority will be divided into Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMA). Rent Officers will set individual LHA rates for each BRMA. These will be published by the local authority so that landlords and prospective LHA customers can be clear about the maximum amount of rent that LHA could cover. Surrey Heath has 3 BRMA's, all with different rates. These BRMA's are Guildford, Blackwater Valley and East Thames Valley. View the current Local Housing Allowance Rates.

Prospective tenants will be able to shop around with their allowance. If they find a property they like with a rent that exceeds their LHA, they will need, as they do now, to make up the difference themselves. But if they find somewhere with a rent below their allowance, they will be able to keep the difference up to a maximum £15.00 per week.

Local Housing Allowance Rates

• Current Local Housing Allowance Rates Opens in a new window

To help calculate your Local Housing Allowance use the link below

Bedroom Calculator = Work out how many bedrooms you may be eligible for Opens in a new window
Local Authority Search = Search LHA rates by Local Authority Opens in a new window
Post Code Search = Search LHA rates by location Opens in a new window

There are a wide range of leaflets on the Local Housing Allowance below, to help you find out more details about the scheme. There are also leaflets to help you set up a bank account.

Download

• LHA 1 - Local Housing Allowance - SHBC An Introduction (General) Opens in a new window
• LHA 2 - Local Housing Allowance - SHBC Working out your LHA General Opens in a new window
• LHA 2CL - Local Housing Allowance - SHBC Care Leaver Opens in a new window
• LHA 2CP - Working out your Local Housing Allowance if you are a couple Opens in a new window
• LHA 2OT - Working out your Local Housing Allowance if you are Single aged 25 or over Opens in a new window
• LHA 2SD - Working out your Local Housing Allowance if you are severely disabled Opens in a new window
• LHA 2UT -Working out your Local Housing Allowance if you are Single aged under 25 Opens in a new window
• LHA 3 - Tenants who are likely to have difficulty paying their rent Opens in a new window
• LHA 5 - Surrey Heath Borough Council Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates for April 2008 Opens in a new window
• LHA 6 - Rights and Responsibilities Opens in a new window
• LHA 7 - Reviews and appeals Opens in a new window
• LHA 8 - Money advice for tenants Opens in a new window
• LHA 9 - SHBC Local Bank Information Opens in a new window
• LHA 9 - SHBC Proof if ID Requirements for local banks Opens in a new window
• Local Housing Allowance - General Information Opens in a new window
• Local Housing Allowance - Surrey Heath Borough Council's Safeguard Policy to protect vunerable customers. Opens in a new window

Landlord Information

There are leaflets for landlords to provide information on how they could be affected by the Local Housing Allowance.

• Local Housing Allowance - Information for Landlords Opens in a new window
• LHA 4 - Information for private landlords Opens in a new window