Local Housing Allowance
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) was introduced on 7 April
2008. It is a new way of working out new claims for
Housing Benefit for tenants renting accommodation from a private
landlord. It also affects tenants already getting housing benefit
who move into privately rented accommodation after 7 April
2008.
Customers who live in Council accommodation or housing
association accommodation,will not be affected by Local
Housing Allowance.
LHA is a new way of calculating housing benefit and is
based on the area the customer lives, the number of occupiers in
the property, and household size. LHA is a much fairer way of
calculating housing benefit, as it ensures that tenants in similar
circumstances in the same area receive the same amount of financial
support for their housing costs.