Local Housing Allowance is used to calculate the maximum amount people renting from a private landlord can claim in Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. This maximum rent is based on where you live, the number of bedrooms you need and the rent you pay.

LHA rates are based on private market rents being paid by tenants in a Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA). This is the area within which a person might reasonably be expected to live.

These rents are being paid by people with the same number of bedrooms as the property where you live, or the number of rooms you and your household needs.

VOA rent officers collect rental data from letting agents, landlords, tenants, and other sources.

This data is then shared with DWP on an annual basis.

You can find the current LHA rates by clicking on LHA-Direct by searching by postcode or local authority area.