Local housing allowance

LHA rates

The table below shows the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable to private tenants making a new claim for Housing Benefit between April 2023 until March 2024. These rates are the maximum amounts you could receive depending on the number of bedrooms you are entitled to. The actual amount of Housing Benefit you will be entitled to will depend on your income and savings.

The shared accommodation rate is applied to single tenants under the age of 35 who have no one else in their household.

Allow one bedroom for

  • every adult couple (married or unmarried)
  • any other adult aged 16 or over
  • any two children of the same sex aged under 16
  • any two children who are under ten years old
  • any other child (under 16).

Your Local Housing Allowance rate will be restricted to 4 bedrooms, there are no exceptions to this.

We do not count other rooms such as a living room, kitchen or bathroom.

The rates will be valid for a year and will not change again until next April 2024.

LHA rates April 2023 to March 2024

Number of bedrooms Category Max weekly amount
Shared accomodation A £103.56
1 bedroom B £184.11
2 bedrooms C £230.14
3 bedrooms D £293.42
4 bedrooms E £368.22

Size criteria

Only the number of bedrooms you need are counted in the calculation of your Local Housing Allowance Rate.

Reviewing your LHA rate

Your LHA rate will last for one year, it will then be reviewed in line with the rates for the month in which your review date falls.

Room calculator

If you need to calculate the number of rooms you are entitled to in order to work out your LHA rate please use the VOA LHADirect website.

If you are having difficulty paying your rent

If you are having difficulty paying your rent because your rent is more that the LHA rates above you may be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payment – if you need advice or assistance please contact our Customer Services Section on 01753 475111.