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Housing Benefits is one of a number of Agencies working in partnership with BARLO
Through the Housing Benefits Landlord Liaison Officer, members of BARLO have improved access to information and assistance with their tenants' Housing Benefit issues and problems.
This page aims to help Landlords & Agents find information and assistance on Housing Benefit - a benefit for helping tenants on low income to pay their rent. INTRODUCTION OF LOCAL HOUSING ALLOWANCE (LHA) IN BOLTON
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the Government's new way of working out & paying Housing Benefit to Tenants. LHA was implemented in Bolton with effect from 7th April 2008.
Tenants of private landlords will move onto LHA if they change address or make a new claim for Housing Benefit from 7th April 2008.
LHA differs from Housing Benefit in a number of ways. The main differences are as follows:
1. LHA is a flat rate allowance that is means tested.
2. The LHA rates are decided by the Rent Service and are based on the broad geographical area that the tenant lives in. This area is referred to as the Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA). Bolton Council has already met with the Rent Officer and there will be two BRMA's in Bolton.
3. A tenant's LHA rate will be based on their accommodation requirements rather than the type of property they are renting.
4. Cases will no longer need to be referred to the Rent Officer so claims will be processed sooner.
5. LHA rates will be published monthly and will be available in the local press and on the Bolton Council website. The LHA rates will be calculated based on the number of bedrooms required by the tenant and their family.
6. Tenants will be able to find out how much LHA they will be entitled to based on the size and make up of their family. This means they will be able to work out what type of accommodation they can afford before they move in to a property.
7. In most cases LHA will be paid directly to the tenant. There are some exceptions to this rule if there is evidence that the tenant would have difficulty taking responsibility for paying their rent.
If a tenant falls into rent arrears of 8 weeks or more payment of LHA can be paid direct to the landlord. Landlords will be required to provide evidence of rent arrears and so it will be important to keep accurate records of the rent charged and payments received.
LHA has already been piloted in a number of Local Authorities and evidence shows that where landlords and councils have worked closely together they have had fewer issues. With this in mind Bolton Council are keen to work with landlords to ensure success. Click Here for Bolton Council's Webpage on LOCAL HOUSING ALLOWANCE
On this page, you can also access documents on:
-Current Rates of LHA
-LHA Payments
-Applying for Direct Payment
-Statement of Rent Account
Click here for a copy of the "SHARING INFORMATION WITH YOUR LANDLORD" Form also found as part of Tenants' HB Claim Forms.
MAKING QUERIES ONLINE
If you or your tenant have queries, problems or issues with your tenant's Housing Benefit claim or payments, you or your tenant can avoid queuing up at the Town Hall by making your enquiries online:
Email your Housing Benefit Queries to:
housing.benefit@bolton.gov.uk
Email your Council Tax Queries to:
council.tax@bolton.gov.uk
Please remember to quote all necessary details and reference numbers etc.
Online queries are treated as "Prime Documents" and will be acknowledged within a day and passed to the relevant Housing Benefit Assessment Officers who will respond to the enquiries.
Housing Benefits
Bolton Council
P.O. Box 4
Bolton
BL1 1RX
Tel: 01204 331590
updated 11.09.09
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