Local housing allowance

The only change for most landlords is that LHA will be paid to the tenant. The tenant will be responsible for paying their rent to the landlord. We decide if the payment should be made direct to the landlord, for example:

• if we think the tenant is a vulnerable tenant likely to have difficulty managing their own affairs
• if we think the tenant might not use their LHA to pay rent
• when the LHA has been backdated or there has been a delay in processing a claim and a large amount of benefit is to be paid, we can decide to make the first payment of LHA by cheque payable to the landlord, although it would be sent to the claimant
• if the tenant has built up rent arrears of 8 weeks or more and payment direct to the landlord has started, we can decide to continue making payments direct to the landlord after the arrears have fallen below 8 weeks
• if the tenant is having deductions from their income support or jobseeker's allowance to pay off rent arrears

For us to consider you for direct payments, please complete and return the payment to landlord request form. We will check your request and inform you of our decision in writing. To help us make a quick decision all relevant evidence must be submitted with the application form.