Local COVID alert level: high
Colchester is currently defined as a 'high risk' coronavirus alert level. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will take action to minimise disruption and keep residents and visitors safe.
What is Local Housing Allowance?
We provide two schemes that help people who are on a low income pay their rent and Council Tax.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- What Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is and how it is used to work out a tenant's Housing Benefit.
- Under what circumstances Local Housing Allowance can be paid directly to the landlord.
- How to request that your tenant's LHA can be paid directly to you.
- How to check the Local Housing Allowance Rates.
We provide two schemes that help people who are on a low income pay their rent and Council Tax. These two schemes are Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support.
For tenants renting from private landlords a number of factors are used to work out who is entitled to these schemes. They include the Local Housing Allowance rates, the tenant's income, capital and other household circumstances.
What is Local Housing Allowance?
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is used to work out Housing Benefit for tenants who rent privately.
LHA is usually paid directly to the claimant. Payments will only be made to the landlord if:
- We consider that a tenant is unlikely to pay their rent
- We think that a tenant may have difficulty managing their money
- It will help the tenant secure or keep their tenancy
- A tenant is more than 8 weeks in arrears with their rent (You will need to provide evidence to show the amount of arrears, the number of weeks and the details of any action you have taken).
Before you fill in the Direct Payment form you may want you read our LHA Direct Payment Policy
Go to the Direct Payment Form - to request payment is made directly to you.
Upload Supporting Documents here
How can I check the Local Housing Allowance Rates?
To check Local Housing Allowance rates you will need:
- How many bedrooms the tenant is entitled to under LHA. You can use the bedroom calculator to find this out.
- The postcode of the property or the name of the local authority
- The month when the tenant's Housing Benefit starts.
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