Housing benefit for tenants

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent.  Most people who rent privately have their entitlement to housing benefit worked out under a system called Local Housing Allowance.  The amount of housing benefit you receive under the Local Housing Allowance rules depends on your circumstances and not on the actual rent for the property in which you live.

If you started receiving housing benefit to pay for your rented home before April 2008 and have not had a break in your claim since then, your entitlement to housing benefit is worked out under a different set of rules.  You can find out more about this benefit in the housing benefit section of our main advice site.

If your claim for help with your private rented housing costs began after April 2008 your housing benefit is assessed under Local Housing Allowance rules.

Overview of local housing allowance

Local housing allowance calculates housing benefit for people living in private rented accommodation. The scheme was introduced in April 2008 and it applies for certain groups of private tenants only.

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Who can claim

You can make an application for housing benefit if you pay rent or rates for your home.  You could be entitled to help with your housing costs if you are on certain qualifying benefits or have a low income.

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Working out LHA rates

The amount of housing benefit you will get depends on your personal circumstances, such as your income and savings, the size of your household and the area you live/wish to live in.

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Making a claim

If you think you may be entitled to help with your rent, you should make a claim for housing benefit as soon as possible. In some circumstances you may be able to backdate your claim.

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Payments of housing benefit

If you are awarded LHA, you will usually have the right to choose whether you want the allowance to be paid to you or directly to your landlord.

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Extra housing benefit

Private tenants can apply for extra housing benefit if the amount they are getting doesn't cover their rent. This is known as a discretionary housing payment. The Housing Executive decides whether you are entitled to extra benefit and how much you should get.

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Housing benefit for single people

The amount of housing benefit that is paid to single people aged under 35 who rent privately is often restricted.  There are some exemptions that apply.

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Housing benefit for students

Every tenant has a right to apply for housing benefit. However, most students at university or college are not entitled to it, unless they fall into certain categories.

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