This leaflet is printed on recycled paper recycled on printed is leaflet This
mail mail e [email protected] c
and languages. Please phone phone Please languages. and or 0151 443 4031 443 0151
ou can also get this information in other formats other in information this get also can ou Y
• The Rent Service www.therentservice.gov.uk Service Rent The •
ww.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha ww.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha w
• Department for Work and Pensions and Work for Department •
For more information you can also visit one of the following websites: following the of one visit also can you information more For
through our landlords newsletter to all affected landlords. landlords. affected all to newsletter landlords our through
Information will be available on our website, at landlords forums and forums landlords at website, our on available be will Information
ww.knowsley.gov.uk w
A llowance? or use the simple Online Form at Form Online simple the use or Call FREE on on FREE Call 0800 0730532 0800
22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Housing Local about information more get I can Where 22.
You do not have to give your details. your give to have not do You
get away with it. If you know or suspect a Benefit Thief, report it in confidence. in it report Thief, Benefit a suspect or know you If it. with away get financial circumstances of the tenant or their household. their or tenant the of circumstances financial
We cannot give the landlord or agent information about the personal or personal the about information agent or landlord the give cannot We Benefit Thieves take money from your pocket. Don’t turn a blind eye and let them let and eye blind a turn Don’t pocket. your from money take Thieves Benefit
what information we need. we information what
• if we require more information to make a decision on the claim and and claim the on decision a make to information more require we if •
and
FIGHT FRAUD – PLAY YOUR PART YOUR PLAY – FRAUD FIGHT
and, if so, whether a decision has been made on the claim or not; not; or claim the on made been has decision a whether so, if and,
• whether or not a claim for Local Housing Allowance has been made made been has Allowance Housing Local for claim a not or whether •
landlord or agent: or landlord
If the tenant gives us permission to share information we can only tell the tell only can we information share to permission us gives tenant the If
www.knowsley.gov.uk www.halton.gov.uk www.liverpool.gov.uk
consent form. form. consent
Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form or by signing a separate a signing by or form claim Benefit Tax Council and Housing
enant. They can do this by signing the tenant consent section of the of section consent tenant the signing by this do can They enant. t
or agent even when we are paying Local Housing Allowance direct to the to direct Allowance Housing Local paying are we when even agent or
he tenant must give us permission to share information with the landlord the with information share to permission us give must tenant he T
dvic e. Addr e. a esses are on the back of this leaflet. this of back the on are esses
different circumstances, so please contact us if you need more detailed more need you if us contact please so circumstances, different hav e
tenants claim claim tenants
o help you understand Local Housing Allowance. It is a general guide. People guide. general a is It Allowance. Housing Local understand you help o t
21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a a about agent or landlord the with information Sharing 21.
et is one of a series produced by a number of Merseyside authorities Merseyside of number a by produced series a of one is et eafl l his T
seyside authorities working together working authorities seyside Mer
How to contact us
Information relating to the services which the Council provides and how to contact the various departments can be obtained from any Branch Library or One Stop Shop www.knowsley.gov.uk
In person: Please call at:
Huyton One Stop Shop Kirkby One Stop Shop Municipal Buildings Municipal Buildings Archway Road Cherryfield Drive Local Housing Huyton Kirkby Merseyside Merseyside L36 9XJ L32 1TX Allowance Prescot One Stop Shop Halewood One Stop Shop Prescot Shopping Centre 5/21 Ravens Court A guide for landlords Aspinall Street Leathers Lane Merseyside Merseyside L34 5GA L26 0UP
One Stop Shop opening times: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm Saturday 9.30am to 1.00pm (Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot offices only)
By post: Please write to: By telephone: Please ring contact centre on Housing Benefit Section 0151 443 4042 Knowsley Borough Council Municipal Buildings By e-mail: Cherryfield Drive [email protected] Kirkby Merseyside By fax: L32 1TX 0151 443 4142
Disabled access is available at all of the One Stop Shops. The following facilities are available:
• Wheelchair/pram access and lowered desks • Minicom telephone system for hearing impaired people. Please dial: 0151 443 4248 • Advisors trained in British Sign Language (up to Level 2) • Access to BTs language line through which we can contact an interpreter in minutes • Private interview rooms • Friendly staff who are happy to assist
Issue Date: November 2007
This leaflet is printed on recycled paper recycled on printed is leaflet This
mail mail e [email protected] c
and languages. Please phone phone Please languages. and or 0151 443 4031 443 0151
ou can also get this information in other formats other in information this get also can ou Y
• The Rent Service www.therentservice.gov.uk Service Rent The •
ww.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha ww.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha w
• Department for Work and Pensions and Work for Department •
For more information you can also visit one of the following websites: following the of one visit also can you information more For
through our landlords newsletter to all affected landlords. landlords. affected all to newsletter landlords our through
Information will be available on our website, at landlords forums and forums landlords at website, our on available be will Information
ww.knowsley.gov.uk w
A llowance? or use the simple Online Form at Form Online simple the use or Call FREE on on FREE Call 0800 0730532 0800
22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Housing Local about information more get I can Where 22.
You do not have to give your details. your give to have not do You
get away with it. If you know or suspect a Benefit Thief, report it in confidence. in it report Thief, Benefit a suspect or know you If it. with away get financial circumstances of the tenant or their household. their or tenant the of circumstances financial
We cannot give the landlord or agent information about the personal or personal the about information agent or landlord the give cannot We Benefit Thieves take money from your pocket. Don’t turn a blind eye and let them let and eye blind a turn Don’t pocket. your from money take Thieves Benefit
what information we need. we information what
• if we require more information to make a decision on the claim and and claim the on decision a make to information more require we if •
and
FIGHT FRAUD – PLAY YOUR PART YOUR PLAY – FRAUD FIGHT
and, if so, whether a decision has been made on the claim or not; not; or claim the on made been has decision a whether so, if and,
• whether or not a claim for Local Housing Allowance has been made made been has Allowance Housing Local for claim a not or whether •
landlord or agent: or landlord
If the tenant gives us permission to share information we can only tell the tell only can we information share to permission us gives tenant the If
www.knowsley.gov.uk www.halton.gov.uk www.liverpool.gov.uk
consent form. form. consent
Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form or by signing a separate a signing by or form claim Benefit Tax Council and Housing
enant. They can do this by signing the tenant consent section of the of section consent tenant the signing by this do can They enant. t
or agent even when we are paying Local Housing Allowance direct to the to direct Allowance Housing Local paying are we when even agent or
he tenant must give us permission to share information with the landlord the with information share to permission us give must tenant he T
dvic e. Addr e. a esses are on the back of this leaflet. this of back the on are esses
different circumstances, so please contact us if you need more detailed more need you if us contact please so circumstances, different hav e
tenants claim claim tenants
o help you understand Local Housing Allowance. It is a general guide. People guide. general a is It Allowance. Housing Local understand you help o t
21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a a about agent or landlord the with information Sharing 21.
et is one of a series produced by a number of Merseyside authorities Merseyside of number a by produced series a of one is et eafl l his T
seyside authorities working together working authorities seyside Mer
How to contact us
Information relating to the services which the Council provides and how to contact the various departments can be obtained from any Branch Library or One Stop Shop www.knowsley.gov.uk
In person: Please call at:
Huyton One Stop Shop Kirkby One Stop Shop Municipal Buildings Municipal Buildings Archway Road Cherryfield Drive Local Housing Huyton Kirkby Merseyside Merseyside L36 9XJ L32 1TX Allowance Prescot One Stop Shop Halewood One Stop Shop Prescot Shopping Centre 5/21 Ravens Court A guide for landlords Aspinall Street Leathers Lane Merseyside Merseyside L34 5GA L26 0UP
One Stop Shop opening times: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm Saturday 9.30am to 1.00pm (Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot offices only)
By post: Please write to: By telephone: Please ring contact centre on Housing Benefit Section 0151 443 4042 Knowsley Borough Council Municipal Buildings By e-mail: Cherryfield Drive [email protected] Kirkby Merseyside By fax: L32 1TX 0151 443 4142
Disabled access is available at all of the One Stop Shops. The following facilities are available:
• Wheelchair/pram access and lowered desks • Minicom telephone system for hearing impaired people. Please dial: 0151 443 4248 • Advisors trained in British Sign Language (up to Level 2) • Access to BTs language line through which we can contact an interpreter in minutes • Private interview rooms • Friendly staff who are happy to assist
Issue Date: November 2007
LHA Insert a.qxd 1/11/07 2:13 pm Page 1
4 9
will be calculated under the existing rules. existing the under calculated be will
esponsibilities to pay their rent. rent. their pay to esponsibilities r
If your tenancy falls into one of these categories your tenant's Housing Benefit Housing tenant's your categories these of one into falls tenancy your If
rom payments direct to their landlord, we will inform tenants of their of tenants inform will we landlord, their to direct payments rom f
enefit direct and regularly pay their rent on time. Where a tenant is moving is tenant a Where time. on rent their pay regularly and direct enefit B
fficer confirms they are not covered by Local Housing Allowance. Allowance. Housing Local by covered not are they confirms fficer o Around 40% of tenants in the private rented sector already receive their Housing their receive already sector rented private the in tenants of 40% Around
• tenancies where there is a substantial amount of board and the rent rent the and board of amount substantial a is there where tenancies •
• caravans, houseboats and hostels hostels and houseboats caravans, • other things or absc or things other ond?
organisations organisations 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on on Allowance Housing Local the spend tenants many Won’t 16.
ocal authorities, social landlords or charities and voluntary voluntary and charities or landlords social authorities, ocal l
• some protected cases, such as supported housing provided by certain certain by provided housing supported as such cases, protected some • efore making a decision. a making efore b
registered social landlord tenancies (i.e. housing associations) associations) housing (i.e. tenancies landlord social registered • investigate the tenant’s circumstances and receive documentary evidence evidence documentary receive and circumstances tenant’s the investigate
• a tenancy which started before 15 January 1989 1989 January 15 before started which tenancy a • es, you may ask us to consider your tenant to be vulnerable. We will need to need will We vulnerable. be to tenant your consider to us ask may you es, Y
have difficulty managing their own affairs? own their managing difficulty have Local Housing Allowance does not affect: not does Allowance Housing Local
15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will will who someone as classified be to tenant a for ask I Can 15.
have a break in their claim of at least one week. one least at of claim their in break a have •
• change address, or address, change • ppropriate timescale. timescale. ppropriate a
• where payment is made to the landlord, review the decision within an an within decision the review landlord, the to made is payment where • • make a new claim claim new a make •
• provide direct payment advice for the tenant tenant the for advice payment direct provide •
• make a decision to whom payment should be made made be should payment whom to decision a make • eceive Housing Benefit under the current rules unless they: unless rules current the under Benefit Housing eceive r
• seek evidence of arrears and reasons why the tenant is unlikely to pay pay to unlikely is tenant the why reasons and arrears of evidence seek •
specified category below). However, existing customers will continue to continue will customers existing However, below). category specified
e-regulated tenancy after 15 January 1989 (unless your tenancy falls into a into falls tenancy your (unless 1989 January 15 after tenancy e-regulated d
all cases we will: we cases all n I
Local Housing Allowance will affect you and your tenant if you entered into a a into entered you if tenant your and you affect will Allowance Housing Local
• is unable to obtain a bank account. bank a obtain to unable is •
2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local by affected be tenant(s) my Will 2. • is a un-discharged bankruptcy bankruptcy un-discharged a is •
• has severe debt problems problems debt severe has •
• has previous history of rent arrears arrears rent of history previous has • www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation
For details about the pilots and copies of the published evaluation reports visit reports evaluation published the of copies and pilots the about details For
Some examples include where the customer: the where include examples Some ocal Housing Allowance has been piloted in several areas across the country. the across areas several in piloted been has Allowance Housing ocal L
so the tenant may not always receive the full rate of Local Housing Allowance. Housing Local of rate full the receive always not may tenant the so
14. What do you mean by 'unlikely to pay their rent'? their pay to 'unlikely by mean you do What 14.
other people living in the household, will still affect the amount of benefit paid benefit of amount the affect still will household, the in living people other
Other circumstances, such as the income that the tenant has coming in or in coming has tenant the that income the as such circumstances, Other
our website. our
with our “Safeguarding Policy/Guidance”. Full details of this are available on available are this of details Full Policy/Guidance”. “Safeguarding our with
provide documentary evidence of rent liability. liability. rent of evidence documentary provide
Decisions on vulnerability will be made on a case by case basis in accordance in basis case by case a on made be will vulnerability on Decisions
receive may be higher or lower than the contractual rent. Tenants must still must Tenants rent. contractual the than lower or higher be may receive
not directly related to the rent you charge so the benefit that your tenants your that benefit the so charge you rent the to related directly not • pay landlords directly where vulnerability is proven. is vulnerability where directly landlords pay •
rent property to decide the amount of benefit they will receive. This amount is amount This receive. will they benefit of amount the decide to property rent • seek evidence of vulnerability from appropriate sources sources appropriate from vulnerability of evidence seek •
llowance based on the size of the tenant’s household and area in which they which in area and household tenant’s the of size the on based llowance a • identify vulnerable tenants tenants vulnerable identify •
receiving Housing Benefit. It will start from 7 April 2008. It uses a flat rate flat a uses It 2008. April 7 from start will It Benefit. Housing receiving
We will work with landlords, tenants and their representatives to: representatives their and tenants landlords, with work will We Local Housing Allowance is a new way of deciding rent payments for people for payments rent deciding of way new a is Allowance Housing Local
his is a guideline and not an exhaustive list. exhaustive an not and guideline a is his T
1. What is Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local is What 1.
• fleeing domestic violence. domestic fleeing •
• people leaving prison prison leaving people •
Local Housing Allowance Housing Local Local Housing Allowance Housing Local
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? Contents
Where eight weeks or more of arrears have built up, we must make payment 1. What is Local Housing Allowance? directly to you. We can decide to pay future Local Housing Allowance to you 2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? even when arrears have reduced or cleared. This decision will be reviewed as 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? necessary as circumstances change. 4. Broad Rental Market Areas 5. Size criteria Please note: we will not duplicate any Local Housing Allowance payments for 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is higher than a period that have already been paid to either the tenant or landlord. their rent? 7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is lower than 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone their rent? 8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? The majority of single customers aged under 25 years will be entitled to the 9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? standard rate for a room in shared accommodation. This will be based on 10. Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Benefit to a properties where the tenant has a room of their own but shares all or some landlord? of the facilities (for example, a living room, kitchen or bathroom). This is 11. Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? known as the shared Local Housing Allowance rate. 12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that landlords are paid? 19. Benefit Overpayments 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? 14. What do you mean by ‘unlikely to pay their rent’? An overpayment is an amount of benefit that has been paid, but for which 15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will have there was no entitlement under the Regulations. They are usually difficulty managing their own affairs? recoverable from either the person who caused the overpayment, or the 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on other person who received the overpaid benefit. Any overpayments that are things or abscond? created under Local Housing Allowance will mainly be recoverable from the 17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? tenant as in the majority of cases payment will be made to the tenant. 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone The rules on the recovery of overpayments are: 19. Benefit overpayments 20. Appeals • benefit overpaid to a tenant can be recovered only from the tenant; 21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a tenant’s claim and 22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Allowance? • benefit overpaid to a landlord can be recovered from either the landlord or the tenant.
We will decide based on the circumstances of the case.
20. Appeals
Appeal rights are not altering as a result of Local Housing Allowance. However, there is no right of appeal or re-determination against Local Housing Allowance rates. Appeals cannot be made against any part of a decision made by the Rent Service. 10 3
LHA Insert a.qxd 1/11/07 2:13 pm Page 1
4 9
will be calculated under the existing rules. existing the under calculated be will
esponsibilities to pay their rent. rent. their pay to esponsibilities r
If your tenancy falls into one of these categories your tenant's Housing Benefit Housing tenant's your categories these of one into falls tenancy your If
rom payments direct to their landlord, we will inform tenants of their of tenants inform will we landlord, their to direct payments rom f
enefit direct and regularly pay their rent on time. Where a tenant is moving is tenant a Where time. on rent their pay regularly and direct enefit B
fficer confirms they are not covered by Local Housing Allowance. Allowance. Housing Local by covered not are they confirms fficer o Around 40% of tenants in the private rented sector already receive their Housing their receive already sector rented private the in tenants of 40% Around
• tenancies where there is a substantial amount of board and the rent rent the and board of amount substantial a is there where tenancies •
• caravans, houseboats and hostels hostels and houseboats caravans, • other things or absc or things other ond?
organisations organisations 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on on Allowance Housing Local the spend tenants many Won’t 16.
ocal authorities, social landlords or charities and voluntary voluntary and charities or landlords social authorities, ocal l
• some protected cases, such as supported housing provided by certain certain by provided housing supported as such cases, protected some • efore making a decision. a making efore b
registered social landlord tenancies (i.e. housing associations) associations) housing (i.e. tenancies landlord social registered • investigate the tenant’s circumstances and receive documentary evidence evidence documentary receive and circumstances tenant’s the investigate
• a tenancy which started before 15 January 1989 1989 January 15 before started which tenancy a • es, you may ask us to consider your tenant to be vulnerable. We will need to need will We vulnerable. be to tenant your consider to us ask may you es, Y
have difficulty managing their own affairs? own their managing difficulty have Local Housing Allowance does not affect: not does Allowance Housing Local
15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will will who someone as classified be to tenant a for ask I Can 15.
have a break in their claim of at least one week. one least at of claim their in break a have •
• change address, or address, change • ppropriate timescale. timescale. ppropriate a
• where payment is made to the landlord, review the decision within an an within decision the review landlord, the to made is payment where • • make a new claim claim new a make •
• provide direct payment advice for the tenant tenant the for advice payment direct provide •
• make a decision to whom payment should be made made be should payment whom to decision a make • eceive Housing Benefit under the current rules unless they: unless rules current the under Benefit Housing eceive r
• seek evidence of arrears and reasons why the tenant is unlikely to pay pay to unlikely is tenant the why reasons and arrears of evidence seek •
specified category below). However, existing customers will continue to continue will customers existing However, below). category specified
e-regulated tenancy after 15 January 1989 (unless your tenancy falls into a into falls tenancy your (unless 1989 January 15 after tenancy e-regulated d
all cases we will: we cases all n I
Local Housing Allowance will affect you and your tenant if you entered into a a into entered you if tenant your and you affect will Allowance Housing Local
• is unable to obtain a bank account. bank a obtain to unable is •
2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local by affected be tenant(s) my Will 2. • is a un-discharged bankruptcy bankruptcy un-discharged a is •
• has severe debt problems problems debt severe has •
• has previous history of rent arrears arrears rent of history previous has • www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation
For details about the pilots and copies of the published evaluation reports visit reports evaluation published the of copies and pilots the about details For
Some examples include where the customer: the where include examples Some ocal Housing Allowance has been piloted in several areas across the country. the across areas several in piloted been has Allowance Housing ocal L
so the tenant may not always receive the full rate of Local Housing Allowance. Housing Local of rate full the receive always not may tenant the so
14. What do you mean by 'unlikely to pay their rent'? their pay to 'unlikely by mean you do What 14.
other people living in the household, will still affect the amount of benefit paid benefit of amount the affect still will household, the in living people other
Other circumstances, such as the income that the tenant has coming in or in coming has tenant the that income the as such circumstances, Other
our website. our
with our “Safeguarding Policy/Guidance”. Full details of this are available on available are this of details Full Policy/Guidance”. “Safeguarding our with
provide documentary evidence of rent liability. liability. rent of evidence documentary provide
Decisions on vulnerability will be made on a case by case basis in accordance in basis case by case a on made be will vulnerability on Decisions
receive may be higher or lower than the contractual rent. Tenants must still must Tenants rent. contractual the than lower or higher be may receive
not directly related to the rent you charge so the benefit that your tenants your that benefit the so charge you rent the to related directly not • pay landlords directly where vulnerability is proven. is vulnerability where directly landlords pay •
rent property to decide the amount of benefit they will receive. This amount is amount This receive. will they benefit of amount the decide to property rent • seek evidence of vulnerability from appropriate sources sources appropriate from vulnerability of evidence seek •
llowance based on the size of the tenant’s household and area in which they which in area and household tenant’s the of size the on based llowance a • identify vulnerable tenants tenants vulnerable identify •
receiving Housing Benefit. It will start from 7 April 2008. It uses a flat rate flat a uses It 2008. April 7 from start will It Benefit. Housing receiving
We will work with landlords, tenants and their representatives to: representatives their and tenants landlords, with work will We Local Housing Allowance is a new way of deciding rent payments for people for payments rent deciding of way new a is Allowance Housing Local
his is a guideline and not an exhaustive list. exhaustive an not and guideline a is his T
1. What is Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local is What 1.
• fleeing domestic violence. domestic fleeing •
• people leaving prison prison leaving people •
Local Housing Allowance Housing Local Local Housing Allowance Housing Local
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? Contents
Where eight weeks or more of arrears have built up, we must make payment 1. What is Local Housing Allowance? directly to you. We can decide to pay future Local Housing Allowance to you 2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? even when arrears have reduced or cleared. This decision will be reviewed as 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? necessary as circumstances change. 4. Broad Rental Market Areas 5. Size criteria Please note: we will not duplicate any Local Housing Allowance payments for 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is higher than a period that have already been paid to either the tenant or landlord. their rent? 7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is lower than 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone their rent? 8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? The majority of single customers aged under 25 years will be entitled to the 9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? standard rate for a room in shared accommodation. This will be based on 10. Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Benefit to a properties where the tenant has a room of their own but shares all or some landlord? of the facilities (for example, a living room, kitchen or bathroom). This is 11. Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? known as the shared Local Housing Allowance rate. 12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that landlords are paid? 19. Benefit Overpayments 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? 14. What do you mean by ‘unlikely to pay their rent’? An overpayment is an amount of benefit that has been paid, but for which 15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will have there was no entitlement under the Regulations. They are usually difficulty managing their own affairs? recoverable from either the person who caused the overpayment, or the 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on other person who received the overpaid benefit. Any overpayments that are things or abscond? created under Local Housing Allowance will mainly be recoverable from the 17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? tenant as in the majority of cases payment will be made to the tenant. 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone The rules on the recovery of overpayments are: 19. Benefit overpayments 20. Appeals • benefit overpaid to a tenant can be recovered only from the tenant; 21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a tenant’s claim and 22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Allowance? • benefit overpaid to a landlord can be recovered from either the landlord or the tenant.
We will decide based on the circumstances of the case.
20. Appeals
Appeal rights are not altering as a result of Local Housing Allowance. However, there is no right of appeal or re-determination against Local Housing Allowance rates. Appeals cannot be made against any part of a decision made by the Rent Service. 10 3
LHA Insert b.qxd 1/11/07 1:45 pm Page 1
7 6
take the step from welfare into work. work. into welfare from step the take o t
benefits tenants could receive is expected to encourage customers customers encourage to expected is receive could tenants benefits
• Greater certainty about what in-work in-work what about certainty Greater Reduced barriers to work: to barriers Reduced
certainty for all landlords that rent will be paid. paid. be will rent that landlords all for certainty
and secure method of payment and provides a greater degree of of degree greater a provides and payment of method secure and
ave no control as to whom we decide to make payment to. payment make to decide we whom to as control no ave h order to pay the rent to you. This has the advantage of being a safe safe a being of advantage the has This you. to rent the pay to order
party to the agreement. It may also be challenged by the tenant as they as tenant the by challenged be also may It agreement. the to party ave their benefit paid by BACS. They can then set up a standing standing a up set then can They BACS. by paid benefit their ave h
are not bound by any conditions by a tenancy agreement as we are not are we as agreement tenancy a by conditions any by bound not are e W • Ideally, tenants will set up a bank account and and account bank a up set will tenants Ideally, Financial inclusion: Financial
ack into work. work. into ack b
Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? the of condition a payment direct a make I Can 11. help develop the skills unemployed tenants will need as they move move they as need will tenants unemployed skills the develop help
heir rent themselves, rather than having it paid for them, should should them, for paid it having than rather themselves, rent heir t
• Enabling people to budget for and to pay pay to and for budget to people Enabling Personal responsibility: Personal managing their financial affairs. affairs. financial their managing
areas and for different size properties. properties. size different for and areas Local Housing Allowance is for tenants to take a greater responsibility for responsibility greater a take to tenants for is Allowance Housing Local
how much benefit can be paid towards housing costs in different different in costs housing towards paid be can benefit much how arrangement and it is this right that is being replaced. One of the aims of aims the of One replaced. being is that right this is it and arrangement
Allowance, tenants (and landlords) can find out in advance exactly exactly advance in out find can landlords) (and tenants Allowance, Benefit payments direct. There is a right for tenants to request this request to tenants for right a is There direct. payments Benefit
upport is available for people on low incomes. With Local Housing Housing Local With incomes. low on people for available is upport s here has never been a right in legislation for a landlord to receive Housing receive to landlord a for legislation in right a been never has here T
individual rents is complex and does not set out clearly what level of of level what clearly out set not does and complex is rents individual
he current link between Housing Benefit and and Benefit Housing between link current he • T ransparency: T landlord? a o t Benefit
Housing Allowance, the tenant will have to make up the difference. difference. the up make to have will tenant the Allowance, Housing
10.Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Housing of payments direct removing you are 10.Why
(to a maximum of £15 per week). If the rent is is rent the If week). per £15 of maximum a (to than the Local Local the than more
Local Housing Allowance they will be able to keep any extra money money extra any keep to able be will they Allowance Housing Local
only 40% before its introduction. its before 40% only
re not in receipt of benefits. If the tenants rent is is rent tenants the If benefits. of receipt in not re han the the han a t ess l
landl ords) receive payments of Local Housing Allowance compared with compared Allowance Housing Local of payments receive ords)
choose ho choose to spend their income in a similar way to tenants who who tenants to way similar a in income their spend to w
e n valuation of the pilot areas shows that 87% of tenants (rather than (rather tenants of 87% that shows areas pilot the of valuation A
enants should be able to take greater responsibility and responsibility greater take to able be should enants T • hoice: C
pr operty. operty.
be able to open a basic bank account. account. bank basic a open to able be
which ties the level of benefit to the rent actually charged for a a for charged actually rent the to benefit of level the ties which
our rent regularly. If your tenant cannot open a current account they may they account current a open cannot tenant your If regularly. rent our y
same area. This differs from the current Housing Benefit scheme, scheme, Benefit Housing current the from differs This area. same
paid into. They could then set up a standing order to ensure you receive you ensure to order standing a up set then could They into. paid
same amount to tenants with similar circumstances living in the the in living circumstances similar with tenants to amount same
t's important that your tenant has a bank account for their benefit to be to benefit their for account bank a has tenant your that important t's I
Local Housing Allowance has been designed to pay the the pay to designed been has Allowance Housing Local • Fairness:
aying the rent to you. you. to rent the aying p
reform. The Government’s stated aims are to promote: to are aims stated Government’s The reform.
made directly to your tenant. This means they will be responsible for responsible be will they means This tenant. your to directly made
simplify Housing Benefit and support the wider objectives for welfare for objectives wider the support and Benefit Housing simplify
The main change is that most Local Housing Allowance payments will be will payments Allowance Housing Local most that is change main The
ocal Housing Allowance is part of the Government’s agenda which aims to aims which agenda Government’s the of part is Allowance Housing ocal L
9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? affect Allowance Housing Local will How 9.
8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? being Allowance Housing Local is Why 8.
understand.
their other income. other their
simpler for local authorities to operate and for tenants to to tenants for and operate to authorities local for simpler
As per current rules the tenant will need to make up any shortfall out of out shortfall any up make to need will tenant the rules current per As
for private tenants. The Local Housing Allowance scheme is is scheme Allowance Housing Local The tenants. private for
ervice that currently contributes to the delay in processing claims claims processing in delay the to contributes currently that ervice S
lower than their rent? their than lower
complex rent restrictions and individual referral of rents to the Rent Rent the to rents of referral individual and restrictions rent complex
7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is is payment Allowance Housing Local tenant’s the if What 7. There will no longer be a need for for need a be longer no will There • Improved administration: Improved
al Housing Allowance Housing al Allowance Housing al oc oc L L
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? landlords are paid? The amount of LHA that a tenant may receive depends on: In most cases Local Housing Allowance will be paid direct to the tenant and they will be responsible for paying their rent to the landlord. • the area they live in - known as the Broad Rental Market Area; and • the number of people in their household - known as the Size Criteria However, we recognise that some tenants may struggle with the 4. Broad Rental Market Areas responsibility for paying their rent and it is more appropriate to make the payment direct to the landlord. Safeguards have been put in place to The Rent Service will no longer value individual properties. Instead they ensure this happens. There is no definitive list but there are a number of will set monthly Local Housing Allowance rates for different size properties circumstances where we can decide it is appropriate to make payment of within different areas based on the mid point of rent charged by private Local Housing Allowance direct to you. Payments may be considered if: landlords. These areas are called Broad Rental Market Areas. Each local authority will have at least one Broad Rental Market Area. There is no • your tenant is vulnerable and is likely to have difficulty in managing right of appeal against the rates. his or her own affairs We will publish these rates in our offices and on our website so you and • your tenant is unlikely to pay their rent your tenants can find out the amount of rent that Local Housing Allowance • your tenant is in arrears by 8 weeks or more will cover. This will help prospective tenants decide whether to take a • your tenant is having deductions made from Income Support or property or not. Jobseeker's Allowance to pay off rent arrears. 5. Size criteria We must receive documentary evidence to support a request for Local Housing Allowance to be paid to the landlord. Local Housing Allowance rates will be broken down into 'Room Rates' that will apply depending on the size of the households occupying the property, including any non-dependants. To calculate the size criteria you need to Local authorities are not obliged to make direct payments where they are count one bedroom for the following people: not satisfied that the landlord is a “fit and proper person to be the recipient of a Housing Benefit payment or Local Housing Allowance”. • a single claimant or every adult couple • any other single adult aged 16 or over A landlord may not be a “fit and proper person” where it is proven that they • any two children under age 10 have engaged in financial impropriety, such as fraud or a failure to declare • any two children of the same sex aged up to 15 changes in circumstances affecting the payment of benefit. • any other child. The number of living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms is ignored for the 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? purpose of the size criteria.
A vulnerable tenant or person is defined as someone who is unable to Children aged 10 or over of different sexes are not expected to share a manage their own affairs. Some examples include: room. 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is • learning difficulties • medical conditions higher than their rent? • illiteracy The tenant can keep up to £15 per week where Local Housing Allowance is • drug/alcohol/gambling dependencies higher than the rent charged. This excess will not normally be taken into account when deciding other benefits. 8 5
LHA Insert b.qxd 1/11/07 1:45 pm Page 1
7 6
take the step from welfare into work. work. into welfare from step the take o t
benefits tenants could receive is expected to encourage customers customers encourage to expected is receive could tenants benefits
• Greater certainty about what in-work in-work what about certainty Greater Reduced barriers to work: to barriers Reduced
certainty for all landlords that rent will be paid. paid. be will rent that landlords all for certainty
and secure method of payment and provides a greater degree of of degree greater a provides and payment of method secure and
ave no control as to whom we decide to make payment to. payment make to decide we whom to as control no ave h order to pay the rent to you. This has the advantage of being a safe safe a being of advantage the has This you. to rent the pay to order
party to the agreement. It may also be challenged by the tenant as they as tenant the by challenged be also may It agreement. the to party ave their benefit paid by BACS. They can then set up a standing standing a up set then can They BACS. by paid benefit their ave h
are not bound by any conditions by a tenancy agreement as we are not are we as agreement tenancy a by conditions any by bound not are e W • Ideally, tenants will set up a bank account and and account bank a up set will tenants Ideally, Financial inclusion: Financial
ack into work. work. into ack b
Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? the of condition a payment direct a make I Can 11. help develop the skills unemployed tenants will need as they move move they as need will tenants unemployed skills the develop help
heir rent themselves, rather than having it paid for them, should should them, for paid it having than rather themselves, rent heir t
• Enabling people to budget for and to pay pay to and for budget to people Enabling Personal responsibility: Personal managing their financial affairs. affairs. financial their managing
areas and for different size properties. properties. size different for and areas Local Housing Allowance is for tenants to take a greater responsibility for responsibility greater a take to tenants for is Allowance Housing Local
how much benefit can be paid towards housing costs in different different in costs housing towards paid be can benefit much how arrangement and it is this right that is being replaced. One of the aims of aims the of One replaced. being is that right this is it and arrangement
Allowance, tenants (and landlords) can find out in advance exactly exactly advance in out find can landlords) (and tenants Allowance, Benefit payments direct. There is a right for tenants to request this request to tenants for right a is There direct. payments Benefit
upport is available for people on low incomes. With Local Housing Housing Local With incomes. low on people for available is upport s here has never been a right in legislation for a landlord to receive Housing receive to landlord a for legislation in right a been never has here T
individual rents is complex and does not set out clearly what level of of level what clearly out set not does and complex is rents individual
he current link between Housing Benefit and and Benefit Housing between link current he • T ransparency: T landlord? a o t Benefit
Housing Allowance, the tenant will have to make up the difference. difference. the up make to have will tenant the Allowance, Housing
10.Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Housing of payments direct removing you are 10.Why
(to a maximum of £15 per week). If the rent is is rent the If week). per £15 of maximum a (to than the Local Local the than more
Local Housing Allowance they will be able to keep any extra money money extra any keep to able be will they Allowance Housing Local
only 40% before its introduction. its before 40% only
re not in receipt of benefits. If the tenants rent is is rent tenants the If benefits. of receipt in not re han the the han a t ess l
landl ords) receive payments of Local Housing Allowance compared with compared Allowance Housing Local of payments receive ords)
choose ho choose to spend their income in a similar way to tenants who who tenants to way similar a in income their spend to w
e n valuation of the pilot areas shows that 87% of tenants (rather than (rather tenants of 87% that shows areas pilot the of valuation A
enants should be able to take greater responsibility and responsibility greater take to able be should enants T • hoice: C
pr operty. operty.
be able to open a basic bank account. account. bank basic a open to able be
which ties the level of benefit to the rent actually charged for a a for charged actually rent the to benefit of level the ties which
our rent regularly. If your tenant cannot open a current account they may they account current a open cannot tenant your If regularly. rent our y
same area. This differs from the current Housing Benefit scheme, scheme, Benefit Housing current the from differs This area. same
paid into. They could then set up a standing order to ensure you receive you ensure to order standing a up set then could They into. paid
same amount to tenants with similar circumstances living in the the in living circumstances similar with tenants to amount same
t's important that your tenant has a bank account for their benefit to be to benefit their for account bank a has tenant your that important t's I
Local Housing Allowance has been designed to pay the the pay to designed been has Allowance Housing Local • Fairness:
aying the rent to you. you. to rent the aying p
reform. The Government’s stated aims are to promote: to are aims stated Government’s The reform.
made directly to your tenant. This means they will be responsible for responsible be will they means This tenant. your to directly made
simplify Housing Benefit and support the wider objectives for welfare for objectives wider the support and Benefit Housing simplify
The main change is that most Local Housing Allowance payments will be will payments Allowance Housing Local most that is change main The
ocal Housing Allowance is part of the Government’s agenda which aims to aims which agenda Government’s the of part is Allowance Housing ocal L
9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? affect Allowance Housing Local will How 9.
8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? being Allowance Housing Local is Why 8.
understand.
their other income. other their
simpler for local authorities to operate and for tenants to to tenants for and operate to authorities local for simpler
As per current rules the tenant will need to make up any shortfall out of out shortfall any up make to need will tenant the rules current per As
for private tenants. The Local Housing Allowance scheme is is scheme Allowance Housing Local The tenants. private for
ervice that currently contributes to the delay in processing claims claims processing in delay the to contributes currently that ervice S
lower than their rent? their than lower
complex rent restrictions and individual referral of rents to the Rent Rent the to rents of referral individual and restrictions rent complex
7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is is payment Allowance Housing Local tenant’s the if What 7. There will no longer be a need for for need a be longer no will There • Improved administration: Improved
al Housing Allowance Housing al Allowance Housing al oc oc L L
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? landlords are paid? The amount of LHA that a tenant may receive depends on: In most cases Local Housing Allowance will be paid direct to the tenant and they will be responsible for paying their rent to the landlord. • the area they live in - known as the Broad Rental Market Area; and • the number of people in their household - known as the Size Criteria However, we recognise that some tenants may struggle with the 4. Broad Rental Market Areas responsibility for paying their rent and it is more appropriate to make the payment direct to the landlord. Safeguards have been put in place to The Rent Service will no longer value individual properties. Instead they ensure this happens. There is no definitive list but there are a number of will set monthly Local Housing Allowance rates for different size properties circumstances where we can decide it is appropriate to make payment of within different areas based on the mid point of rent charged by private Local Housing Allowance direct to you. Payments may be considered if: landlords. These areas are called Broad Rental Market Areas. Each local authority will have at least one Broad Rental Market Area. There is no • your tenant is vulnerable and is likely to have difficulty in managing right of appeal against the rates. his or her own affairs We will publish these rates in our offices and on our website so you and • your tenant is unlikely to pay their rent your tenants can find out the amount of rent that Local Housing Allowance • your tenant is in arrears by 8 weeks or more will cover. This will help prospective tenants decide whether to take a • your tenant is having deductions made from Income Support or property or not. Jobseeker's Allowance to pay off rent arrears. 5. Size criteria We must receive documentary evidence to support a request for Local Housing Allowance to be paid to the landlord. Local Housing Allowance rates will be broken down into 'Room Rates' that will apply depending on the size of the households occupying the property, including any non-dependants. To calculate the size criteria you need to Local authorities are not obliged to make direct payments where they are count one bedroom for the following people: not satisfied that the landlord is a “fit and proper person to be the recipient of a Housing Benefit payment or Local Housing Allowance”. • a single claimant or every adult couple • any other single adult aged 16 or over A landlord may not be a “fit and proper person” where it is proven that they • any two children under age 10 have engaged in financial impropriety, such as fraud or a failure to declare • any two children of the same sex aged up to 15 changes in circumstances affecting the payment of benefit. • any other child. The number of living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms is ignored for the 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? purpose of the size criteria.
A vulnerable tenant or person is defined as someone who is unable to Children aged 10 or over of different sexes are not expected to share a manage their own affairs. Some examples include: room. 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is • learning difficulties • medical conditions higher than their rent? • illiteracy The tenant can keep up to £15 per week where Local Housing Allowance is • drug/alcohol/gambling dependencies higher than the rent charged. This excess will not normally be taken into account when deciding other benefits. 8 5
LHA Insert b.qxd 1/11/07 1:45 pm Page 1
7 6
take the step from welfare into work. work. into welfare from step the take o t
benefits tenants could receive is expected to encourage customers customers encourage to expected is receive could tenants benefits
• Greater certainty about what in-work in-work what about certainty Greater Reduced barriers to work: to barriers Reduced
certainty for all landlords that rent will be paid. paid. be will rent that landlords all for certainty
and secure method of payment and provides a greater degree of of degree greater a provides and payment of method secure and
ave no control as to whom we decide to make payment to. payment make to decide we whom to as control no ave h order to pay the rent to you. This has the advantage of being a safe safe a being of advantage the has This you. to rent the pay to order
party to the agreement. It may also be challenged by the tenant as they as tenant the by challenged be also may It agreement. the to party ave their benefit paid by BACS. They can then set up a standing standing a up set then can They BACS. by paid benefit their ave h
are not bound by any conditions by a tenancy agreement as we are not are we as agreement tenancy a by conditions any by bound not are e W • Ideally, tenants will set up a bank account and and account bank a up set will tenants Ideally, Financial inclusion: Financial
ack into work. work. into ack b
Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? the of condition a payment direct a make I Can 11. help develop the skills unemployed tenants will need as they move move they as need will tenants unemployed skills the develop help
heir rent themselves, rather than having it paid for them, should should them, for paid it having than rather themselves, rent heir t
• Enabling people to budget for and to pay pay to and for budget to people Enabling Personal responsibility: Personal managing their financial affairs. affairs. financial their managing
areas and for different size properties. properties. size different for and areas Local Housing Allowance is for tenants to take a greater responsibility for responsibility greater a take to tenants for is Allowance Housing Local
how much benefit can be paid towards housing costs in different different in costs housing towards paid be can benefit much how arrangement and it is this right that is being replaced. One of the aims of aims the of One replaced. being is that right this is it and arrangement
Allowance, tenants (and landlords) can find out in advance exactly exactly advance in out find can landlords) (and tenants Allowance, Benefit payments direct. There is a right for tenants to request this request to tenants for right a is There direct. payments Benefit
upport is available for people on low incomes. With Local Housing Housing Local With incomes. low on people for available is upport s here has never been a right in legislation for a landlord to receive Housing receive to landlord a for legislation in right a been never has here T
individual rents is complex and does not set out clearly what level of of level what clearly out set not does and complex is rents individual
he current link between Housing Benefit and and Benefit Housing between link current he • T ransparency: T landlord? a o t Benefit
Housing Allowance, the tenant will have to make up the difference. difference. the up make to have will tenant the Allowance, Housing
10.Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Housing of payments direct removing you are 10.Why
(to a maximum of £15 per week). If the rent is is rent the If week). per £15 of maximum a (to than the Local Local the than more
Local Housing Allowance they will be able to keep any extra money money extra any keep to able be will they Allowance Housing Local
only 40% before its introduction. its before 40% only
re not in receipt of benefits. If the tenants rent is is rent tenants the If benefits. of receipt in not re han the the han a t ess l
landl ords) receive payments of Local Housing Allowance compared with compared Allowance Housing Local of payments receive ords)
choose ho choose to spend their income in a similar way to tenants who who tenants to way similar a in income their spend to w
e n valuation of the pilot areas shows that 87% of tenants (rather than (rather tenants of 87% that shows areas pilot the of valuation A
enants should be able to take greater responsibility and responsibility greater take to able be should enants T • hoice: C
pr operty. operty.
be able to open a basic bank account. account. bank basic a open to able be
which ties the level of benefit to the rent actually charged for a a for charged actually rent the to benefit of level the ties which
our rent regularly. If your tenant cannot open a current account they may they account current a open cannot tenant your If regularly. rent our y
same area. This differs from the current Housing Benefit scheme, scheme, Benefit Housing current the from differs This area. same
paid into. They could then set up a standing order to ensure you receive you ensure to order standing a up set then could They into. paid
same amount to tenants with similar circumstances living in the the in living circumstances similar with tenants to amount same
t's important that your tenant has a bank account for their benefit to be to benefit their for account bank a has tenant your that important t's I
Local Housing Allowance has been designed to pay the the pay to designed been has Allowance Housing Local • Fairness:
aying the rent to you. you. to rent the aying p
reform. The Government’s stated aims are to promote: to are aims stated Government’s The reform.
made directly to your tenant. This means they will be responsible for responsible be will they means This tenant. your to directly made
simplify Housing Benefit and support the wider objectives for welfare for objectives wider the support and Benefit Housing simplify
The main change is that most Local Housing Allowance payments will be will payments Allowance Housing Local most that is change main The
ocal Housing Allowance is part of the Government’s agenda which aims to aims which agenda Government’s the of part is Allowance Housing ocal L
9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? affect Allowance Housing Local will How 9.
8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? being Allowance Housing Local is Why 8.
understand.
their other income. other their
simpler for local authorities to operate and for tenants to to tenants for and operate to authorities local for simpler
As per current rules the tenant will need to make up any shortfall out of out shortfall any up make to need will tenant the rules current per As
for private tenants. The Local Housing Allowance scheme is is scheme Allowance Housing Local The tenants. private for
ervice that currently contributes to the delay in processing claims claims processing in delay the to contributes currently that ervice S
lower than their rent? their than lower
complex rent restrictions and individual referral of rents to the Rent Rent the to rents of referral individual and restrictions rent complex
7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is is payment Allowance Housing Local tenant’s the if What 7. There will no longer be a need for for need a be longer no will There • Improved administration: Improved
al Housing Allowance Housing al Allowance Housing al oc oc L L
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? landlords are paid? The amount of LHA that a tenant may receive depends on: In most cases Local Housing Allowance will be paid direct to the tenant and they will be responsible for paying their rent to the landlord. • the area they live in - known as the Broad Rental Market Area; and • the number of people in their household - known as the Size Criteria However, we recognise that some tenants may struggle with the 4. Broad Rental Market Areas responsibility for paying their rent and it is more appropriate to make the payment direct to the landlord. Safeguards have been put in place to The Rent Service will no longer value individual properties. Instead they ensure this happens. There is no definitive list but there are a number of will set monthly Local Housing Allowance rates for different size properties circumstances where we can decide it is appropriate to make payment of within different areas based on the mid point of rent charged by private Local Housing Allowance direct to you. Payments may be considered if: landlords. These areas are called Broad Rental Market Areas. Each local authority will have at least one Broad Rental Market Area. There is no • your tenant is vulnerable and is likely to have difficulty in managing right of appeal against the rates. his or her own affairs We will publish these rates in our offices and on our website so you and • your tenant is unlikely to pay their rent your tenants can find out the amount of rent that Local Housing Allowance • your tenant is in arrears by 8 weeks or more will cover. This will help prospective tenants decide whether to take a • your tenant is having deductions made from Income Support or property or not. Jobseeker's Allowance to pay off rent arrears. 5. Size criteria We must receive documentary evidence to support a request for Local Housing Allowance to be paid to the landlord. Local Housing Allowance rates will be broken down into 'Room Rates' that will apply depending on the size of the households occupying the property, including any non-dependants. To calculate the size criteria you need to Local authorities are not obliged to make direct payments where they are count one bedroom for the following people: not satisfied that the landlord is a “fit and proper person to be the recipient of a Housing Benefit payment or Local Housing Allowance”. • a single claimant or every adult couple • any other single adult aged 16 or over A landlord may not be a “fit and proper person” where it is proven that they • any two children under age 10 have engaged in financial impropriety, such as fraud or a failure to declare • any two children of the same sex aged up to 15 changes in circumstances affecting the payment of benefit. • any other child. The number of living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms is ignored for the 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? purpose of the size criteria.
A vulnerable tenant or person is defined as someone who is unable to Children aged 10 or over of different sexes are not expected to share a manage their own affairs. Some examples include: room. 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is • learning difficulties • medical conditions higher than their rent? • illiteracy The tenant can keep up to £15 per week where Local Housing Allowance is • drug/alcohol/gambling dependencies higher than the rent charged. This excess will not normally be taken into account when deciding other benefits. 8 5
LHA Insert b.qxd 1/11/07 1:45 pm Page 1
7 6
take the step from welfare into work. work. into welfare from step the take o t
benefits tenants could receive is expected to encourage customers customers encourage to expected is receive could tenants benefits
• Greater certainty about what in-work in-work what about certainty Greater Reduced barriers to work: to barriers Reduced
certainty for all landlords that rent will be paid. paid. be will rent that landlords all for certainty
and secure method of payment and provides a greater degree of of degree greater a provides and payment of method secure and
ave no control as to whom we decide to make payment to. payment make to decide we whom to as control no ave h order to pay the rent to you. This has the advantage of being a safe safe a being of advantage the has This you. to rent the pay to order
party to the agreement. It may also be challenged by the tenant as they as tenant the by challenged be also may It agreement. the to party ave their benefit paid by BACS. They can then set up a standing standing a up set then can They BACS. by paid benefit their ave h
are not bound by any conditions by a tenancy agreement as we are not are we as agreement tenancy a by conditions any by bound not are e W • Ideally, tenants will set up a bank account and and account bank a up set will tenants Ideally, Financial inclusion: Financial
ack into work. work. into ack b
Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? the of condition a payment direct a make I Can 11. help develop the skills unemployed tenants will need as they move move they as need will tenants unemployed skills the develop help
heir rent themselves, rather than having it paid for them, should should them, for paid it having than rather themselves, rent heir t
• Enabling people to budget for and to pay pay to and for budget to people Enabling Personal responsibility: Personal managing their financial affairs. affairs. financial their managing
areas and for different size properties. properties. size different for and areas Local Housing Allowance is for tenants to take a greater responsibility for responsibility greater a take to tenants for is Allowance Housing Local
how much benefit can be paid towards housing costs in different different in costs housing towards paid be can benefit much how arrangement and it is this right that is being replaced. One of the aims of aims the of One replaced. being is that right this is it and arrangement
Allowance, tenants (and landlords) can find out in advance exactly exactly advance in out find can landlords) (and tenants Allowance, Benefit payments direct. There is a right for tenants to request this request to tenants for right a is There direct. payments Benefit
upport is available for people on low incomes. With Local Housing Housing Local With incomes. low on people for available is upport s here has never been a right in legislation for a landlord to receive Housing receive to landlord a for legislation in right a been never has here T
individual rents is complex and does not set out clearly what level of of level what clearly out set not does and complex is rents individual
he current link between Housing Benefit and and Benefit Housing between link current he • T ransparency: T landlord? a o t Benefit
Housing Allowance, the tenant will have to make up the difference. difference. the up make to have will tenant the Allowance, Housing
10.Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Housing of payments direct removing you are 10.Why
(to a maximum of £15 per week). If the rent is is rent the If week). per £15 of maximum a (to than the Local Local the than more
Local Housing Allowance they will be able to keep any extra money money extra any keep to able be will they Allowance Housing Local
only 40% before its introduction. its before 40% only
re not in receipt of benefits. If the tenants rent is is rent tenants the If benefits. of receipt in not re han the the han a t ess l
landl ords) receive payments of Local Housing Allowance compared with compared Allowance Housing Local of payments receive ords)
choose ho choose to spend their income in a similar way to tenants who who tenants to way similar a in income their spend to w
e n valuation of the pilot areas shows that 87% of tenants (rather than (rather tenants of 87% that shows areas pilot the of valuation A
enants should be able to take greater responsibility and responsibility greater take to able be should enants T • hoice: C
pr operty. operty.
be able to open a basic bank account. account. bank basic a open to able be
which ties the level of benefit to the rent actually charged for a a for charged actually rent the to benefit of level the ties which
our rent regularly. If your tenant cannot open a current account they may they account current a open cannot tenant your If regularly. rent our y
same area. This differs from the current Housing Benefit scheme, scheme, Benefit Housing current the from differs This area. same
paid into. They could then set up a standing order to ensure you receive you ensure to order standing a up set then could They into. paid
same amount to tenants with similar circumstances living in the the in living circumstances similar with tenants to amount same
t's important that your tenant has a bank account for their benefit to be to benefit their for account bank a has tenant your that important t's I
Local Housing Allowance has been designed to pay the the pay to designed been has Allowance Housing Local • Fairness:
aying the rent to you. you. to rent the aying p
reform. The Government’s stated aims are to promote: to are aims stated Government’s The reform.
made directly to your tenant. This means they will be responsible for responsible be will they means This tenant. your to directly made
simplify Housing Benefit and support the wider objectives for welfare for objectives wider the support and Benefit Housing simplify
The main change is that most Local Housing Allowance payments will be will payments Allowance Housing Local most that is change main The
ocal Housing Allowance is part of the Government’s agenda which aims to aims which agenda Government’s the of part is Allowance Housing ocal L
9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? affect Allowance Housing Local will How 9.
8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? being Allowance Housing Local is Why 8.
understand.
their other income. other their
simpler for local authorities to operate and for tenants to to tenants for and operate to authorities local for simpler
As per current rules the tenant will need to make up any shortfall out of out shortfall any up make to need will tenant the rules current per As
for private tenants. The Local Housing Allowance scheme is is scheme Allowance Housing Local The tenants. private for
ervice that currently contributes to the delay in processing claims claims processing in delay the to contributes currently that ervice S
lower than their rent? their than lower
complex rent restrictions and individual referral of rents to the Rent Rent the to rents of referral individual and restrictions rent complex
7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is is payment Allowance Housing Local tenant’s the if What 7. There will no longer be a need for for need a be longer no will There • Improved administration: Improved
al Housing Allowance Housing al Allowance Housing al oc oc L L
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? landlords are paid? The amount of LHA that a tenant may receive depends on: In most cases Local Housing Allowance will be paid direct to the tenant and they will be responsible for paying their rent to the landlord. • the area they live in - known as the Broad Rental Market Area; and • the number of people in their household - known as the Size Criteria However, we recognise that some tenants may struggle with the 4. Broad Rental Market Areas responsibility for paying their rent and it is more appropriate to make the payment direct to the landlord. Safeguards have been put in place to The Rent Service will no longer value individual properties. Instead they ensure this happens. There is no definitive list but there are a number of will set monthly Local Housing Allowance rates for different size properties circumstances where we can decide it is appropriate to make payment of within different areas based on the mid point of rent charged by private Local Housing Allowance direct to you. Payments may be considered if: landlords. These areas are called Broad Rental Market Areas. Each local authority will have at least one Broad Rental Market Area. There is no • your tenant is vulnerable and is likely to have difficulty in managing right of appeal against the rates. his or her own affairs We will publish these rates in our offices and on our website so you and • your tenant is unlikely to pay their rent your tenants can find out the amount of rent that Local Housing Allowance • your tenant is in arrears by 8 weeks or more will cover. This will help prospective tenants decide whether to take a • your tenant is having deductions made from Income Support or property or not. Jobseeker's Allowance to pay off rent arrears. 5. Size criteria We must receive documentary evidence to support a request for Local Housing Allowance to be paid to the landlord. Local Housing Allowance rates will be broken down into 'Room Rates' that will apply depending on the size of the households occupying the property, including any non-dependants. To calculate the size criteria you need to Local authorities are not obliged to make direct payments where they are count one bedroom for the following people: not satisfied that the landlord is a “fit and proper person to be the recipient of a Housing Benefit payment or Local Housing Allowance”. • a single claimant or every adult couple • any other single adult aged 16 or over A landlord may not be a “fit and proper person” where it is proven that they • any two children under age 10 have engaged in financial impropriety, such as fraud or a failure to declare • any two children of the same sex aged up to 15 changes in circumstances affecting the payment of benefit. • any other child. The number of living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms is ignored for the 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? purpose of the size criteria.
A vulnerable tenant or person is defined as someone who is unable to Children aged 10 or over of different sexes are not expected to share a manage their own affairs. Some examples include: room. 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is • learning difficulties • medical conditions higher than their rent? • illiteracy The tenant can keep up to £15 per week where Local Housing Allowance is • drug/alcohol/gambling dependencies higher than the rent charged. This excess will not normally be taken into account when deciding other benefits. 8 5
LHA Insert a.qxd 1/11/07 2:13 pm Page 1
4 9
will be calculated under the existing rules. existing the under calculated be will
esponsibilities to pay their rent. rent. their pay to esponsibilities r
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rom payments direct to their landlord, we will inform tenants of their of tenants inform will we landlord, their to direct payments rom f
enefit direct and regularly pay their rent on time. Where a tenant is moving is tenant a Where time. on rent their pay regularly and direct enefit B
fficer confirms they are not covered by Local Housing Allowance. Allowance. Housing Local by covered not are they confirms fficer o Around 40% of tenants in the private rented sector already receive their Housing their receive already sector rented private the in tenants of 40% Around
• tenancies where there is a substantial amount of board and the rent rent the and board of amount substantial a is there where tenancies •
• caravans, houseboats and hostels hostels and houseboats caravans, • other things or absc or things other ond?
organisations organisations 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on on Allowance Housing Local the spend tenants many Won’t 16.
ocal authorities, social landlords or charities and voluntary voluntary and charities or landlords social authorities, ocal l
• some protected cases, such as supported housing provided by certain certain by provided housing supported as such cases, protected some • efore making a decision. a making efore b
registered social landlord tenancies (i.e. housing associations) associations) housing (i.e. tenancies landlord social registered • investigate the tenant’s circumstances and receive documentary evidence evidence documentary receive and circumstances tenant’s the investigate
• a tenancy which started before 15 January 1989 1989 January 15 before started which tenancy a • es, you may ask us to consider your tenant to be vulnerable. We will need to need will We vulnerable. be to tenant your consider to us ask may you es, Y
have difficulty managing their own affairs? own their managing difficulty have Local Housing Allowance does not affect: not does Allowance Housing Local
15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will will who someone as classified be to tenant a for ask I Can 15.
have a break in their claim of at least one week. one least at of claim their in break a have •
• change address, or address, change • ppropriate timescale. timescale. ppropriate a
• where payment is made to the landlord, review the decision within an an within decision the review landlord, the to made is payment where • • make a new claim claim new a make •
• provide direct payment advice for the tenant tenant the for advice payment direct provide •
• make a decision to whom payment should be made made be should payment whom to decision a make • eceive Housing Benefit under the current rules unless they: unless rules current the under Benefit Housing eceive r
• seek evidence of arrears and reasons why the tenant is unlikely to pay pay to unlikely is tenant the why reasons and arrears of evidence seek •
specified category below). However, existing customers will continue to continue will customers existing However, below). category specified
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all cases we will: we cases all n I
Local Housing Allowance will affect you and your tenant if you entered into a a into entered you if tenant your and you affect will Allowance Housing Local
• is unable to obtain a bank account. bank a obtain to unable is •
2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local by affected be tenant(s) my Will 2. • is a un-discharged bankruptcy bankruptcy un-discharged a is •
• has severe debt problems problems debt severe has •
• has previous history of rent arrears arrears rent of history previous has • www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation
For details about the pilots and copies of the published evaluation reports visit reports evaluation published the of copies and pilots the about details For
Some examples include where the customer: the where include examples Some ocal Housing Allowance has been piloted in several areas across the country. the across areas several in piloted been has Allowance Housing ocal L
so the tenant may not always receive the full rate of Local Housing Allowance. Housing Local of rate full the receive always not may tenant the so
14. What do you mean by 'unlikely to pay their rent'? their pay to 'unlikely by mean you do What 14.
other people living in the household, will still affect the amount of benefit paid benefit of amount the affect still will household, the in living people other
Other circumstances, such as the income that the tenant has coming in or in coming has tenant the that income the as such circumstances, Other
our website. our
with our “Safeguarding Policy/Guidance”. Full details of this are available on available are this of details Full Policy/Guidance”. “Safeguarding our with
provide documentary evidence of rent liability. liability. rent of evidence documentary provide
Decisions on vulnerability will be made on a case by case basis in accordance in basis case by case a on made be will vulnerability on Decisions
receive may be higher or lower than the contractual rent. Tenants must still must Tenants rent. contractual the than lower or higher be may receive
not directly related to the rent you charge so the benefit that your tenants your that benefit the so charge you rent the to related directly not • pay landlords directly where vulnerability is proven. is vulnerability where directly landlords pay •
rent property to decide the amount of benefit they will receive. This amount is amount This receive. will they benefit of amount the decide to property rent • seek evidence of vulnerability from appropriate sources sources appropriate from vulnerability of evidence seek •
llowance based on the size of the tenant’s household and area in which they which in area and household tenant’s the of size the on based llowance a • identify vulnerable tenants tenants vulnerable identify •
receiving Housing Benefit. It will start from 7 April 2008. It uses a flat rate flat a uses It 2008. April 7 from start will It Benefit. Housing receiving
We will work with landlords, tenants and their representatives to: representatives their and tenants landlords, with work will We Local Housing Allowance is a new way of deciding rent payments for people for payments rent deciding of way new a is Allowance Housing Local
his is a guideline and not an exhaustive list. exhaustive an not and guideline a is his T
1. What is Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local is What 1.
• fleeing domestic violence. domestic fleeing •
• people leaving prison prison leaving people •
Local Housing Allowance Housing Local Local Housing Allowance Housing Local
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? Contents
Where eight weeks or more of arrears have built up, we must make payment 1. What is Local Housing Allowance? directly to you. We can decide to pay future Local Housing Allowance to you 2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? even when arrears have reduced or cleared. This decision will be reviewed as 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? necessary as circumstances change. 4. Broad Rental Market Areas 5. Size criteria Please note: we will not duplicate any Local Housing Allowance payments for 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is higher than a period that have already been paid to either the tenant or landlord. their rent? 7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is lower than 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone their rent? 8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? The majority of single customers aged under 25 years will be entitled to the 9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? standard rate for a room in shared accommodation. This will be based on 10. Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Benefit to a properties where the tenant has a room of their own but shares all or some landlord? of the facilities (for example, a living room, kitchen or bathroom). This is 11. Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? known as the shared Local Housing Allowance rate. 12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that landlords are paid? 19. Benefit Overpayments 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? 14. What do you mean by ‘unlikely to pay their rent’? An overpayment is an amount of benefit that has been paid, but for which 15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will have there was no entitlement under the Regulations. They are usually difficulty managing their own affairs? recoverable from either the person who caused the overpayment, or the 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on other person who received the overpaid benefit. Any overpayments that are things or abscond? created under Local Housing Allowance will mainly be recoverable from the 17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? tenant as in the majority of cases payment will be made to the tenant. 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone The rules on the recovery of overpayments are: 19. Benefit overpayments 20. Appeals • benefit overpaid to a tenant can be recovered only from the tenant; 21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a tenant’s claim and 22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Allowance? • benefit overpaid to a landlord can be recovered from either the landlord or the tenant.
We will decide based on the circumstances of the case.
20. Appeals
Appeal rights are not altering as a result of Local Housing Allowance. However, there is no right of appeal or re-determination against Local Housing Allowance rates. Appeals cannot be made against any part of a decision made by the Rent Service. 10 3
LHA Insert a.qxd 1/11/07 2:13 pm Page 1
4 9
will be calculated under the existing rules. existing the under calculated be will
esponsibilities to pay their rent. rent. their pay to esponsibilities r
If your tenancy falls into one of these categories your tenant's Housing Benefit Housing tenant's your categories these of one into falls tenancy your If
rom payments direct to their landlord, we will inform tenants of their of tenants inform will we landlord, their to direct payments rom f
enefit direct and regularly pay their rent on time. Where a tenant is moving is tenant a Where time. on rent their pay regularly and direct enefit B
fficer confirms they are not covered by Local Housing Allowance. Allowance. Housing Local by covered not are they confirms fficer o Around 40% of tenants in the private rented sector already receive their Housing their receive already sector rented private the in tenants of 40% Around
• tenancies where there is a substantial amount of board and the rent rent the and board of amount substantial a is there where tenancies •
• caravans, houseboats and hostels hostels and houseboats caravans, • other things or absc or things other ond?
organisations organisations 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on on Allowance Housing Local the spend tenants many Won’t 16.
ocal authorities, social landlords or charities and voluntary voluntary and charities or landlords social authorities, ocal l
• some protected cases, such as supported housing provided by certain certain by provided housing supported as such cases, protected some • efore making a decision. a making efore b
registered social landlord tenancies (i.e. housing associations) associations) housing (i.e. tenancies landlord social registered • investigate the tenant’s circumstances and receive documentary evidence evidence documentary receive and circumstances tenant’s the investigate
• a tenancy which started before 15 January 1989 1989 January 15 before started which tenancy a • es, you may ask us to consider your tenant to be vulnerable. We will need to need will We vulnerable. be to tenant your consider to us ask may you es, Y
have difficulty managing their own affairs? own their managing difficulty have Local Housing Allowance does not affect: not does Allowance Housing Local
15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will will who someone as classified be to tenant a for ask I Can 15.
have a break in their claim of at least one week. one least at of claim their in break a have •
• change address, or address, change • ppropriate timescale. timescale. ppropriate a
• where payment is made to the landlord, review the decision within an an within decision the review landlord, the to made is payment where • • make a new claim claim new a make •
• provide direct payment advice for the tenant tenant the for advice payment direct provide •
• make a decision to whom payment should be made made be should payment whom to decision a make • eceive Housing Benefit under the current rules unless they: unless rules current the under Benefit Housing eceive r
• seek evidence of arrears and reasons why the tenant is unlikely to pay pay to unlikely is tenant the why reasons and arrears of evidence seek •
specified category below). However, existing customers will continue to continue will customers existing However, below). category specified
e-regulated tenancy after 15 January 1989 (unless your tenancy falls into a into falls tenancy your (unless 1989 January 15 after tenancy e-regulated d
all cases we will: we cases all n I
Local Housing Allowance will affect you and your tenant if you entered into a a into entered you if tenant your and you affect will Allowance Housing Local
• is unable to obtain a bank account. bank a obtain to unable is •
2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local by affected be tenant(s) my Will 2. • is a un-discharged bankruptcy bankruptcy un-discharged a is •
• has severe debt problems problems debt severe has •
• has previous history of rent arrears arrears rent of history previous has • www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation
For details about the pilots and copies of the published evaluation reports visit reports evaluation published the of copies and pilots the about details For
Some examples include where the customer: the where include examples Some ocal Housing Allowance has been piloted in several areas across the country. the across areas several in piloted been has Allowance Housing ocal L
so the tenant may not always receive the full rate of Local Housing Allowance. Housing Local of rate full the receive always not may tenant the so
14. What do you mean by 'unlikely to pay their rent'? their pay to 'unlikely by mean you do What 14.
other people living in the household, will still affect the amount of benefit paid benefit of amount the affect still will household, the in living people other
Other circumstances, such as the income that the tenant has coming in or in coming has tenant the that income the as such circumstances, Other
our website. our
with our “Safeguarding Policy/Guidance”. Full details of this are available on available are this of details Full Policy/Guidance”. “Safeguarding our with
provide documentary evidence of rent liability. liability. rent of evidence documentary provide
Decisions on vulnerability will be made on a case by case basis in accordance in basis case by case a on made be will vulnerability on Decisions
receive may be higher or lower than the contractual rent. Tenants must still must Tenants rent. contractual the than lower or higher be may receive
not directly related to the rent you charge so the benefit that your tenants your that benefit the so charge you rent the to related directly not • pay landlords directly where vulnerability is proven. is vulnerability where directly landlords pay •
rent property to decide the amount of benefit they will receive. This amount is amount This receive. will they benefit of amount the decide to property rent • seek evidence of vulnerability from appropriate sources sources appropriate from vulnerability of evidence seek •
llowance based on the size of the tenant’s household and area in which they which in area and household tenant’s the of size the on based llowance a • identify vulnerable tenants tenants vulnerable identify •
receiving Housing Benefit. It will start from 7 April 2008. It uses a flat rate flat a uses It 2008. April 7 from start will It Benefit. Housing receiving
We will work with landlords, tenants and their representatives to: representatives their and tenants landlords, with work will We Local Housing Allowance is a new way of deciding rent payments for people for payments rent deciding of way new a is Allowance Housing Local
his is a guideline and not an exhaustive list. exhaustive an not and guideline a is his T
1. What is Local Housing Allowance? Housing Local is What 1.
• fleeing domestic violence. domestic fleeing •
• people leaving prison prison leaving people •
Local Housing Allowance Housing Local Local Housing Allowance Housing Local
Local Housing Allowance Local Housing Allowance
17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? Contents
Where eight weeks or more of arrears have built up, we must make payment 1. What is Local Housing Allowance? directly to you. We can decide to pay future Local Housing Allowance to you 2. Will my tenant(s) be affected by Local Housing Allowance? even when arrears have reduced or cleared. This decision will be reviewed as 3. How are the Local Housing Allowance rates worked out? necessary as circumstances change. 4. Broad Rental Market Areas 5. Size criteria Please note: we will not duplicate any Local Housing Allowance payments for 6. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is higher than a period that have already been paid to either the tenant or landlord. their rent? 7. What if the tenant’s Local Housing Allowance payment is lower than 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone their rent? 8. Why is Local Housing Allowance being introduced? The majority of single customers aged under 25 years will be entitled to the 9. How will Local Housing Allowance affect me? standard rate for a room in shared accommodation. This will be based on 10. Why are you removing direct payments of Housing Benefit to a properties where the tenant has a room of their own but shares all or some landlord? of the facilities (for example, a living room, kitchen or bathroom). This is 11. Can I make a direct payment a condition of the tenancy? known as the shared Local Housing Allowance rate. 12. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that landlords are paid? 19. Benefit Overpayments 13. What do you mean by a vulnerable tenant? 14. What do you mean by ‘unlikely to pay their rent’? An overpayment is an amount of benefit that has been paid, but for which 15. Can I ask for a tenant to be classified as someone who will have there was no entitlement under the Regulations. They are usually difficulty managing their own affairs? recoverable from either the person who caused the overpayment, or the 16. Won’t many tenants spend the Local Housing Allowance on other person who received the overpaid benefit. Any overpayments that are things or abscond? created under Local Housing Allowance will mainly be recoverable from the 17. Will you pay any arrears directly to me? tenant as in the majority of cases payment will be made to the tenant. 18. Customers aged under 25 years who live alone The rules on the recovery of overpayments are: 19. Benefit overpayments 20. Appeals • benefit overpaid to a tenant can be recovered only from the tenant; 21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a tenant’s claim and 22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Allowance? • benefit overpaid to a landlord can be recovered from either the landlord or the tenant.
We will decide based on the circumstances of the case.
20. Appeals
Appeal rights are not altering as a result of Local Housing Allowance. However, there is no right of appeal or re-determination against Local Housing Allowance rates. Appeals cannot be made against any part of a decision made by the Rent Service. 10 3
This leaflet is printed on recycled paper recycled on printed is leaflet This
• The Rent Service www.therentservice.gov.uk Service Rent The •
www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha
Department for Work and Pensions and Work for Department •
For more information you can also visit one of the following websites: following the of one visit also can you information more For
hrough our landlords newsletter to all affected landlords. landlords. affected all to newsletter landlords our hrough t
nformation will be available on our website, at landlords forums and forums landlords at website, our on available be will nformation I
Allowance?
22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Housing Local about information more get I can Where 22.
inancial circumstances of the tenant or their household. their or tenant the of circumstances inancial f
We cannot give the landlord or agent information about the personal or personal the about information agent or landlord the give cannot We
what information we need. we information what
• if we require more information to make a decision on the claim and and claim the on decision a make to information more require we if •
nd a
and, if so, whether a decision has been made on the claim or not; not; or claim the on made been has decision a whether so, if and,
• whether or not a claim for Local Housing Allowance has been made made been has Allowance Housing Local for claim a not or whether •
landlord or agent: or landlord
www.knowsley.gov.uk www.halton.gov.uk www.liverpool.gov.uk
If the tenant gives us permission to share information we can only tell the tell only can we information share to permission us gives tenant the If
consent form. form. consent
Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form or by signing a separate a signing by or form claim Benefit Tax Council and Housing
tenant. They can do this by signing the tenant consent section of the of section consent tenant the signing by this do can They tenant.
or agent even when we are paying Local Housing Allowance direct to the to direct Allowance Housing Local paying are we when even agent or
dvic e. Addr e. a esses are on the back of this leaflet. this of back the on are esses
The tenant must give us permission to share information with the landlord the with information share to permission us give must tenant The
different circumstances, so please contact us if you need more detailed more need you if us contact please so circumstances, different hav e
o help you understand Local Housing Allowance. It is a general guide. People guide. general a is It Allowance. Housing Local understand you help o t
tenants claim claim tenants
et is one of a series produced by a number of Merseyside authorities Merseyside of number a by produced series a of one is et eafl l his T
21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a a about agent or landlord the with information Sharing 21.
seyside authorities working together working authorities seyside Mer
How to contact us
Information relating to the services which the Council provides and how to contact the various departments can be obtained from any Branch Library or One Stop Shop www.halton.gov.uk
In person: One Stop Shop locations:
Halton Direct Link Halton Direct Link Concourse Level Church Street Rutland House Runcorn Local Housing Halton lea Cheshire Runcorn WA7 1LX WA7 2ES Allowance Halton Direct Link Halton Direct Link 7 Brook Street Queens Avenue A guide for landlords Widnes Ditton Cheshire Widnes WA7 6NB Cheshire WA7 8HR
By post: for Housing Benefit/Council Tax By telephone: Benefit enquiries please write to: Please ring 0151 907 8302 Halton Borough Council Benefits Service By e-mail: Catalyst Trade Park [email protected] Widnes WA8 0GH
Issue Date: November 2007
This leaflet is printed on recycled paper recycled on printed is leaflet This
mail mail e [email protected] c
and languages. Please phone phone Please languages. and or 0151 443 4031 443 0151
ou can also get this information in other formats other in information this get also can ou Y
• The Rent Service www.therentservice.gov.uk Service Rent The •
ww.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha ww.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha w
• Department for Work and Pensions and Work for Department •
For more information you can also visit one of the following websites: following the of one visit also can you information more For
through our landlords newsletter to all affected landlords. landlords. affected all to newsletter landlords our through
Information will be available on our website, at landlords forums and forums landlords at website, our on available be will Information
ww.knowsley.gov.uk w
A llowance? or use the simple Online Form at Form Online simple the use or Call FREE on on FREE Call 0800 0730532 0800
22. Where can I get more information about Local Housing Housing Local about information more get I can Where 22.
You do not have to give your details. your give to have not do You
get away with it. If you know or suspect a Benefit Thief, report it in confidence. in it report Thief, Benefit a suspect or know you If it. with away get financial circumstances of the tenant or their household. their or tenant the of circumstances financial
We cannot give the landlord or agent information about the personal or personal the about information agent or landlord the give cannot We Benefit Thieves take money from your pocket. Don’t turn a blind eye and let them let and eye blind a turn Don’t pocket. your from money take Thieves Benefit
what information we need. we information what
• if we require more information to make a decision on the claim and and claim the on decision a make to information more require we if •
and
FIGHT FRAUD – PLAY YOUR PART YOUR PLAY – FRAUD FIGHT
and, if so, whether a decision has been made on the claim or not; not; or claim the on made been has decision a whether so, if and,
• whether or not a claim for Local Housing Allowance has been made made been has Allowance Housing Local for claim a not or whether •
landlord or agent: or landlord
If the tenant gives us permission to share information we can only tell the tell only can we information share to permission us gives tenant the If
www.knowsley.gov.uk www.halton.gov.uk www.liverpool.gov.uk
consent form. form. consent
Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form or by signing a separate a signing by or form claim Benefit Tax Council and Housing
enant. They can do this by signing the tenant consent section of the of section consent tenant the signing by this do can They enant. t
or agent even when we are paying Local Housing Allowance direct to the to direct Allowance Housing Local paying are we when even agent or
he tenant must give us permission to share information with the landlord the with information share to permission us give must tenant he T
dvic e. Addr e. a esses are on the back of this leaflet. this of back the on are esses
different circumstances, so please contact us if you need more detailed more need you if us contact please so circumstances, different hav e
tenants claim claim tenants
o help you understand Local Housing Allowance. It is a general guide. People guide. general a is It Allowance. Housing Local understand you help o t
21. Sharing information with the landlord or agent about a a about agent or landlord the with information Sharing 21.
et is one of a series produced by a number of Merseyside authorities Merseyside of number a by produced series a of one is et eafl l his T
seyside authorities working together working authorities seyside Mer
How to contact us
Information relating to the services which the Council provides and how to contact the various departments can be obtained from any Branch Library or One Stop Shop www.knowsley.gov.uk
In person: Please call at:
Huyton One Stop Shop Kirkby One Stop Shop Municipal Buildings Municipal Buildings Archway Road Cherryfield Drive Local Housing Huyton Kirkby Merseyside Merseyside L36 9XJ L32 1TX Allowance Prescot One Stop Shop Halewood One Stop Shop Prescot Shopping Centre 5/21 Ravens Court A guide for landlords Aspinall Street Leathers Lane Merseyside Merseyside L34 5GA L26 0UP
One Stop Shop opening times: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm Saturday 9.30am to 1.00pm (Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot offices only)
By post: Please write to: By telephone: Please ring contact centre on Housing Benefit Section 0151 443 4042 Knowsley Borough Council Municipal Buildings By e-mail: Cherryfield Drive [email protected] Kirkby Merseyside By fax: L32 1TX 0151 443 4142
Disabled access is available at all of the One Stop Shops. The following facilities are available:
• Wheelchair/pram access and lowered desks • Minicom telephone system for hearing impaired people. Please dial: 0151 443 4248 • Advisors trained in British Sign Language (up to Level 2) • Access to BTs language line through which we can contact an interpreter in minutes • Private interview rooms • Friendly staff who are happy to assist
Issue Date: November 2007