Finefair exists to provide individuals with first class real estate services. At the same time, we want to provide as much information as possible about various property matters. Our areas of expertise include lettings, management, guaranteed rent, and others. Also, we can offer details about local housing allowance in Hackney. To find out more, please continue reading.
Information on LHA
Local housing allowance (LHA) came into effect in 2008. It’s a way of determining the Housing Benefit Entitlement for those in the private sector. This is applicable in Wales, England, and Scotland.
Moving to LHA was an interesting choice. In the past, housing entitlement was set on the 50th percentile or median value of an area’s private rental accommodation. Following the change, it started being based on the 30th percentile.
With this allowance, those claiming it can obtain an appropriate amount for the area. It’ll mirror the price others pay for privately renting there. As a result, entitlement will represent similar buildings with the same quantity of bedrooms.
Local housing allowance in Hackney
Hackney Council’s website has some crucial information on the subject. To help, we’ll discuss some of the most important points here.
Firstly, LHA won’t apply to people if they pay rent to a registered social landlord or the council. It also won’t apply if a housing benefit claim dates prior to 7th April 2008 and you carry on claiming at the same address.
Furthermore, you won’t get LHA if your tenancy began before 1989 or you have a registered rent. When you have a tenancy where a huge chunk of the rent covers attendance and board, you won’t receive aid. Finally, LHA doesn’t apply to those living in houseboats, hostels, mobile homes, or caravans.
If you’ve been on benefits since before April 2008, there are ways to move onto LHA. For those who have a break of over a week in their claims, they’ll move automatically. To move onto LHA, you have to conclude your claim in writing and make a new one a week after. For those only part way through their tenancy agreements, don’t sign new ones at higher rents. The council might continue paying you benefits utilising rent on the first agreement until it ends.
The number of rooms
Let’s carry on talking about the local housing allowance in Hackney. The LHA rate is the maximum rent the council can use whilst determining your benefit. It comes down to the quantity of bedrooms you need. Under LHA rules, the council works out your needs. You must have one bedroom for a couple, a single child under 16, and a person over 16. Also, you need one bedroom for two children of the same sex under 16, one for an overnight carer if applicable, and one for two children of any sex under 10.
Extra bedrooms could also be permitted in several situations. One of them is with armed forces personnel. Adult children within the armed forces, but still live with parents, will be allowed a room. This is the case even when they are away overseas.
You can get an extra room for children with disabilities as well. A child may be unable to share due to a major disability. If another sibling would be disturbed during sleep if sharing, you can also get an extra room.
With disabled couples, they can gain an extra room when they cannot share one due to disabilities.
Lastly, there are foster children. Carers can have one extra room when they have foster children. Even when there aren’t children currently with them, they can have a room where they’ve fostered a child during the last 12 months or became an approved foster carer in that timespan.
As for the maximum number of bedrooms, the total amount a household can qualify for is four. For anyone renting a property with over that number, they’ll only get the rate for four bedrooms. This is the case even if you should qualify for more because of the household size.
Come to us for help
Finefair Ltd understands there are various details to consider with housing. This can make things difficult for anyone. It could be a tenant, investor, or landlord. Fortunately, there is enough information available that can help. You simply have to know where to find it. The gov.uk site and local council websites are great sources. You can go to them if you want to know more about local housing allowance Hackney residents can use.
You’re also free to speak to our team about different services. Simply get in touch with any queries.
