Benefits and support How your circumstances affect Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

Housing Benefit may not cover all your rent

Housing Benefit does not cover some service charges that are included in your rent. We take off charges for heating, water and meals before we work out your benefit.

If the Local Housing Allowance rules apply to you, we use a flat rate rent set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) based on the size of accommodation you need.

If you are a private tenant and the LHA rules don't apply to you, we ask the VOA for a valuation for your property. They look at whether the rent is too high for the property or for the area, or whether the property is too large for your needs.

If you are a private tenant and the LHA rules don't apply to you and you are single, under 35, have no children living with you, the VOA will value your property based on a 'single-room rent' (probably lower than the rent you are charged), unless:

  • you were previously in care or are disabled; or
  • you're aged 25 to 34 and have lived in a hostel for homeless people for at least three months or you're a certain kind of ex-offender.

If you are a joint tenant we only count your share of the rent when we work out your benefit.

Some tenants can check how much help they may get with their rent before signing up for a tenancy

If you are considering moving into board and lodgings, a caravan, a houseboat, a mobile home or a hostel you can ask for a 'pre-tenancy determination' to tell you how much help with your rent you may be entitled to. You must submit the pre-tenancy determination form before moving, agreeing or signing up for a tenancy. A pre-tenancy determination is only available in these circumstances.

Complete and submit your pre-tenancy determination form 

For a housing benefit claim, make a claim for benefit

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