Housing benefit for private renters: how it works

Housing benefit helps people on low incomes pay their rent. If you rent from a private landlord, your housing benefit will usually be calculated using the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for your area. You'll find out how housing benefit works for private renters, who can get it, and what to do if your benefit does not cover your rent.

Who can claim housing benefit?

If you are of pension credit age, you can claim housing benefit regardless of whether you receive universal credit. If you are of working age, housing benefit has largely been replaced by universal credit. However, you may still be able to claim housing benefit as a working-age person if you:

• Live in supported or temporary accommodation
• Are in a particular group that has not yet been moved to universal credit in your area

If you are a working-age tenant not in one of these groups, you will claim the housing element of universal credit rather than housing benefit.

How is housing benefit calculated for private renters?

For most private renters, housing benefit is based on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). LHA is set by the government and varies by area (called a Broad Rental Market Area, or BRMA) and by how many bedrooms your household is entitled to.

The number of bedrooms you are entitled to depends on who lives with you:

• One bedroom for a single person under 35 in a shared property
• One bedroom for a couple or single person over 35
• Additional bedrooms for children, depending on their ages and genders

If your actual rent is higher than the LHA rate, housing benefit will only cover up to the LHA rate. You will need to pay the difference yourself.

Can the landlord's behaviour affect my housing benefit?

In some cases, yes. If your landlord is not a registered landlord (in Wales or Scotland, where registration is required) or if the council has concerns about the property, this can affect how housing benefit is paid.

In England, housing benefit can sometimes be paid direct to the landlord, this is called a managed payment. Payments can be made direct to the landlord if you are in rent arrears or if the council decides it is in your interests.

What if housing benefit does not cover my rent?

If the LHA rate is lower than your rent:

• Ask your local council about a discretionary housing payment (DHP), which can top up your housing benefit for a period
• Consider whether the property is suitable for your needs or whether you need to move
• Seek advice from a welfare rights organisation

Will a housing disrepair claim affect my benefits?

Compensation you receive from a housing disrepair claim is normally treated as a capital lump sum. Depending on the amount and your circumstances, it could affect means-tested benefits if it pushes your total capital above the relevant threshold. It is worth taking welfare benefits advice before accepting any compensation. However, many claims result in payments that do not affect benefit entitlement significantly.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We help with housing disrepair claims. If your private landlord has not carried out repairs they were legally required to do, you may be entitled to compensation, regardless of whether you receive housing benefit.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Housing Benefit (GOV.UK)

Related articles

• Local housing allowance explained
• Discretionary housing payment, how to apply
• Universal credit five-week wait