Finefair Ltd provides its clients with valuable services and lots of useful information. There are all kinds of areas that we cover, even including local housing allowance in the City of Westminster. If this is the topic you have an interest in specifically, we have plenty of details to share here.

Understanding LHA

The UK Government introduced local housing allowance back in 2008. It supplies an easy way to calculate Housing Benefit entitlement. This can be done for tenants renting private sector accommodation in Wales, England, and Scotland.

The change to LHA made a considerable modification to how they pay housing benefits. Restrictions changed as well. Most significantly, there was the move to basing entitlement on the 30th percentile of rental accommodation in the local community. In the past, the 50th percentile or median was the mark.

As for the function of LHA, it utilises private market rental rates to see what people pay in the area. We call this the BRMA. It inspects rates for the same amount of bedrooms in the structure. The objective here is seeing that tenants in a location with similar buildings can claim appropriate amounts if they need benefits. LHA helps with managing costs too.

City of Westminster’s approach to LHA

LHA rates depend on the area you reside in. Thus, you are required to check locally to discover more about housing benefit entitlement. With local housing allowance in the City of Westminster, there are important details to make note of. To help, we are going to give an overview of some details here. You can also visit their website for details.

For single individuals, and couples lacking children, the shared accommodation rate of LHA could apply. This is a lower rate that is based on the price of one room in shared accommodation. If you are single and under the age of 35, this rate will apply no matter what sort of property you live in.

For those who are either single and 35 or older, or couples with no kids, the LHA rate will vary. This depends on what accommodation you have. When people live in self-contained housing, the one-bedroom LHA applies. You might be residing in a single room that possesses a bathroom and kitchen that you share. If so, the shared accommodation LHA rate will apply.

When you can and can’t claim local housing allowance in the City of Westminster

You can claim LHA if you pay council tax on your home and your savings are beneath £16,000. When your savings are over that value, you can’t claim unless you get Pension Credit or Guarantee Credit.

You are also capable of claiming if you are paying rent to a private landlord, for a council home, or to a housing association.

Normally, you won’t receive housing benefit if you are an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK. You can’t claim if you are living in the country as a European Economic Area jobseeker or in the house of a close relative. It is the same if you are a full-time student, unless you have children or a disability.

Lastly, you can’t claim if you are subject to immigration control and your granted leave says you are unable to obtain public funds.

How are benefits paid?

The council normally pays local housing allowance in the City of Westminster to an individual. At times though, they are able to pay it to the landlord or housing association. Typically, they pay it every four weeks in arrears.

For people currently receiving LHA, the council has to pay this straight to them. This is unless there are exceptional circumstances. The council has developed a set of criteria that permits them to make decisions on such cases. It is referred to as their safeguards policy.

Assistance you can depend on

Finefair Ltd works hard to provide clients with the broadest range of services. If it is a topic that affects landlords and investors, we can likely offer some help. We excel with areas like guaranteed rent, property management, buying assets, and more. As you have seen, we even cover local housing allowance in the City of Westminster and more. You will receive the support you need and excellent value with us.

So, if you want to work with us, get in touch today.