Information for claimants

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a scheme for calculating Housing Benefit for tenants who rent accommodation from a private landlord. It was launched in 2008.

Your LHA is based on:

• Who lives with you;
• Your income;
• Your savings.

LHA affects you if:
You rent your home from a private landlord and:

• You made a new claim for Housing Benefit on or after 7 April 2008; or
• You are already claiming Housing Benefit and you changed your address on or after 7 April 2008.

LHA does not affect you if:

• You rent your home from a housing association;
• Your rent has been registered as a 'fair rent';
• Your tenancy started before January 1989;
• You are a tenant of Enfield Homes
• You live somewhere where you are provided with care, support or supervision and your landlord is a registered charity or housing association;
• You live in a caravan, houseboat or hostel; or
• The rent officer decides that a large part of your rent is for board and lodgings (such as providing meals).

For more information see our Frequently Asked Questions for claimants.