Local Housing Allowance is the way of working out Housing Benefit for tenants on a low income who are renting accommodation from a Private Landlord (excluding Housing Association, mobile home, houseboat, those whose tenancy started before 15 January 1989 or those whose rent contains a large element for board and attendance). The new allowance was introduced from 7 April 2008.

Local Housing Allowances give tenants more choice on where they live. This is because with Local Housing Allowances;

• Customers will be entitled to the same amount of benefit as other people in the same circumstances
• It will be possible to find out the maximum amount of benefit that is available before renting a property
• In most cases the Local Housing Allowance will be paid to the tenant rather than to the landlord.

There is a Safeguard Policy which will be used to decide if the landlord should receive the payments.

Local Housing Allowances will not just depend on how much rent is being paid. The amount available will also take into account;

• the age of the claimant
• the family composition of the tenant;
• the area lived in;
• how much money is coming in;
• what savings exist.

A Local Housing Allowance will be calculated for new Privately rented claims and for Private Tenants who have changed address within the Borough since 7 April 2008. Private Tenants already in receipt of Housing Benefit will change to the Local Housing Allowance scheme only if there has been a break in claim for at least one week or if they change address.

Prospective tenants will be able to shop around with their allowance. If they find a property they like with a rent that exceeds the Local Housing Allowance they must, as now, make up the difference themselves.

If you would like more information on the Local Housing Allowance please contact the Benefits Team on;

• Telephone 01827 709540
• Via the information to the right of this page
• Via email - benefits@tamworth.gov.uk
• In person at Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth.