Slough Borough Council: Housing Benefit - Pre-Tenancy Determinations

Housing Benefit - Pre-Tenancy Determinations

Due to the introduction of the Local Housing Allowance from the 7 April 2008, pre-tenancy determinations (PTD) will become obsolete.

This is because there will be a flat rate allowance for the calculation of housing benefit entitlement. This will be based on the number of bedrooms people need for their household and the Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA) the rented property falls in. These rates will be provided to every local authority, each month by The Rent Office, hence making it unnecessary to apply for a pre-tenancy determination.

The publication of the monthly rates will enable tenants and landlords to find out how much rent could be covered by Housing Benefit, in advance.

More information will be available on this website regarding the Local Housing Allowance in the run up to its implementation on the 7 April 2008.

In affect this is what a PTD does at present:

Anyone who is looking to rent accommodation with a private landlord (other than a housing association) can ask for a Pre-Tenancy Determination (PTD). Pre-Tenancy Determinations apply to tenancies that started after 2 January 1996.

Pre-Tenancy Determinations inform the prospective tenant and landlord of the likely amount of rent that housing benefit will be based on before a tenancy is taken. The independent rent officer makes the decision on the amount of rent and communicates the decision to all concerned parties, normally within 7 days of receipt of the PTD form.

To apply for a Pre-Tenancy Determination you will need to download, fill in and sign the 'PTD form', which asks you for details about the property you are thinking of renting. Please refer to the guidance notes (at the bottom of the form) when completing the PTD form. You will need information from the landlord to fill in the form and they must sign the form as well. Once the form is filled in and signed, send it or take it to the housing benefit office in the area where the property is located.

If you need any help to fill in the form, please contact the benefits helpline on 01753 875348/9 or visit the Customer Service Centre.

Notes:

A Pre-Tenancy Determination will tell you the maximum rent which housing benefit could meet for the property. It does not tell you how much housing benefit you will get. This will depend on your other circumstances (for example, your income and the size of your family)
If you are single and under 25 years of age it is more likely that your maximum rent will be restricted to the average cost of non self contained accommodation in the area to which you are thinking of moving. This restriction will apply from 7 October 1996. If you get a Pre-Tenancy Determination before that date but take up the tenancy on or after that date, the Pre-Tenancy Determination may not be valid.
You will need to claim housing benefit separately, once you have received a Pre-Tenancy Determination and have decided that you want to take up the tenancy. You can download the housing benefit claim form below.