Local housing allowance (LHA) is a housing benefit awarded to tenants that live in privately rented accommodation.
The LHA rate that can be awarded is based on the number of bedrooms that a household needs (up to a maximum of 4). It is not the number of rooms in the property or the amount of rent charged.
LHA rates 2026 to 2027
The following rates apply between April 2026 and April 2027 –
- shared accommodation rate - £77.29 weekly
- 1 bedroom rate - £87.45 weekly
- 2-bedroom rate - £109.32 weekly
- 3-bedroom rate - £126.58 weekly
- 4-bedroom rate - £161.10 weekly
The calculation
You are allowed one bedroom for -
- every adult couple (married or unmarried)
- a single person aged 16 or over
- 2 children of the same sex under the age of 16
- 2 children (of the same or opposite sexes) under the age of 10
- a child under the age of 16
Additional rooms may be allowed for -
- foster children
- joint tenants
- overnight carers and disabled people, conditions apply
When determining your LHA rate, we will have to decide -
- who is responsible for any non-dependants living in the household. Non-dependants are anyone who lives in your household aged 16 or over who no one receives child benefit for
- single people aged 35 and over and couples with no children. If you are single and aged 35 or over or a couple with no children, you receive the LHA 1 bedroom rate unless you are occupying shared accommodation. In this case the LHA shared accommodation rate applies
- single people aged 34 and under. If you are single and 34 and under you receive the LHA shared accommodation rate which is based on the exclusive use of a bedroom with shared use of a kitchen, bathroom and or living room. The exceptions to this are if you are a care leaver aged 21 or under or if you are severely disabled. In these cases, you are entitled to the LHA one bedroom rate
If you have a change of circumstances which affects the number of bedrooms your household is entitled to, your bedroom rate will be reviewed.