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Local housing allowance

About this service

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a new way of working out Housing Benefit for tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord (deregulated private sector property).

From 7th April 2008 any new claims, moves into or breaks in claims for private accommodation will mean the maximum benefit that can be paid will be based on the Local Housing Allowances.

If you live in a property owned by a Housing Society, Association or the Council, Local Housing Allowance will not affect you.

You can use the Rates by Area table to find your LHA if you know the area (BRMA - Broad Rental Market Area) you are in, then choose the size of the property.  The size of the property or the number of bedrooms is critical to LHA so to calculate it use the government website LHA Direct bedroom calculator  or look at frequently asked questions.

If you do not know your BRMA you can use your post code and number of bedrooms in the property to find the area on the government website LHA Direct postcode calculator.

Please note that LHA rates are updated each month so if you do not actually claim until the next month the rate may change slightly. The LHA rate that we must use is the rate applicable on the date of claim. If you claim in advance then the rate used will be the one for the month your claim will commence.

Calculator

This chart will help you to work out the maximum housing benefit you would be eligible for based on the Local Housing Allowance rates within the Wiltshire Council area

• Housing Benetit (LHA) Calculator 96kb

Last updated: 4 March 2010