Local Housing Allowance:
A better deal for tenants

Local Housing Allowance gives tenants more choice in where they live. And it’s fairer too. This is because:
  • with Local Housing Allowance you will get the same amount of benefit as people in the same circumstances as you. With Housing Benefit, people living in smaller or less attractive properties usually got less benefit than people living in larger or more attractive properties
  • you can decide how much of your benefit you want to spend on renting a property. For example, you can choose to pay more to rent a large property. Or you can rent a smaller property and use the rest of your benefit for other things
  • you can find out how much Local Housing Allowance you can get before you rent a property. With Housing Benefit you might have had to wait for several weeks to find out how much you would get.
  • if you get Local Housing Allowance you will get your benefit paid to you. It is up to you to pay the rent to your landlord in the same way as other tenants who do not get benefit
  • if you are looking for a job you will know how much benefit you are likely to get when you find one
  • you will find out about your Local Housing Allowance quicker than Housing Benefit.

Paying your rent

Usually you will have your Local Housing Allowance paid directly to you. And it is up to you to pay the rent to your landlord. If you don’t pay your rent you may be evicted from the property.
If you do not already have one, you will want to set up a bank account. That way you can pay the rent to your landlord by standing order or direct debit. You can get advice about opening and running a bank account from any bank or building society of your choice.
We have a list of local banks and building societies to help you – see the leaflet Basic Bank accounts in the Isle of Wight. You can find out how to get in touch with us at the end of this leaflet. You can also get advice from a welfare organisation such as Citizens Advice.
If you are worried about managing your money, ask us if we can help. In special cases we may be able to pay your rent to your landlord.

Changes of circumstances

If you move to a new address or other circumstances change, you should tell us straight away. You may need to make a fresh claim for Local Housing Allowance.
Where to get more information
If you want to know more about the changes and how they affect you:
Visit our website at www.iwight.com
Telephone your Housing Benefit department on 01983 823950 or
visit us at: Revenues & Benefits, Council Offices, Broadway, Sandown PO36 9EA