Each Local Authority will be divided into Broad Rental Market Areas - BRMA. These are set out by the Rent Service.
The Rent Service will set individual LHA rates for up to 4 rooms in each of the BRMAs. Wokingham Borough Council will have 1 BRMA. The 4 room limit applies from 1 April 2011.
These figures are published each month on our main LHA web page so that landlords and prospective LHA customers can find out the amount of rent that could be covered by LHA each month on the main LHA page.
If you find a property that you like with a rent that exceeds the LHA you will need to make up the difference yourself.
The amount of LHA is dependant on the following factors:
- The number of rooms you need
- The area you live in
- Your income and savings
- Whether someone lives with you who is not a dependant
- Whether you need overnight care and have a bedroom specifically for a carer.
The number of rooms that you qualify for - the size criteria - are one bedroom for every:
- Adult couple - including civil partners
- Adult aged 16 or over
- Any 2 children under age 10
- Any 2 children of the same sex aged 10 to 15
- Any other child
- Overnight carer(s).
Joint tenants will be entitled to the rate for shared accommodation in most circumstances.
Single claimants under 35
If you are single and under 35 years of age you will be entitled to the standard rate for a room in shared accommodation where you have a room or bedsit of your own with shared use of kitchen, bathroom, toilet and living room. This is known as the Shared Local Housing Allowance.
There are exceptions to this rule, for example if you get the Severe Disability Premium. Please contact us for advice.
Single over 35 or couple with no dependant children
If you are single and over 35 years of age or are part of a couple with no dependant children, you will be entitled to the rate of a 1 bedroom property.
However, if you choose to live in a property where all or some of the facilities are shared - for example kitchen, bathroom, living room and so on - you will only be entitled to the Shared Local Housing Allowance.
The 1 room rate will only apply to you if you are single and over the age of 35 or are part of a couple without dependant children. You or your partner must have exclusive use of:
- 2 or more rooms
- 1 room, a kitchen - or facilities for cooking - a bathroom or toilet
