Local Housing Allowance Rates

Walton area - rest of the Borough

East Thames Valley - Virginia Water

The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the name for Housing Benefit for tenants of privately rented accommodation from 7th April 2008.

LHA is a flat rate allowance towards rent costs, calculated on the basis of the circumstances of the tenant, such as family size, and the area that they live in. The scheme is designed to pay the same amounts to tenants with similar circumstances living in the same area. It is intended that tenants will trade between quality and price of their accommodation.

If your rent is more than the LHA rate you will have to pay the extra yourself.

You will not be affected if:

• You rent your property from the council
• You rent your property from a Housing Association
• Your rent has been registered as "fair rent"
• Your tenancy started before 7th April 2008
• You live somewhere where you are provided with care, support or supervision
• You live in a caravan, mobile home or house boat.

In most cases LHA will be paid directly to the tenant as opposed to the landlord.

The allowances are set by The Rent Service each month and are available from this page, as well as being published in the Council and Citizens Advice Bureau offices. These are maximum amounts that customers will be entitled to depending on income, savings and circumstances. Your claim will be based on the LHA rate applicable for the month of the claim and will be reviewed after a year unless there is a change in circumstances, for example someone enters or leaves the household.

More information on Local Housing Allowance.