# What is Local Housing Allowance?

> Quick answer · Last updated 22 August 2026

Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/answers/what-is-local-housing-allowance/
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## In short

Local Housing Allowance is the maximum rent the state will use when working out Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit housing element for a private tenant. It is set by Broad Rental Market Area and bedroom need, not by the rent on your tenancy agreement. Look up your rate on LHA Direct.

LHA is a cap, not a payment you apply for. If your rent is higher, you pay the difference unless your council awards extra help (a Housing Payment in England from April 2026, or a Discretionary Housing Payment in Wales and often in Scotland).

Single people under 35 are usually limited to the shared-accommodation rate. Social housing tenants are not on LHA but can still lose money under spare-room rules. Official rates: https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

Full cluster: [Housing Benefit, LHA and extra housing payments](/benefits-tax/housing-benefit-lha-dhp/).

## Related

- [Housing Benefit, LHA and extra housing payments](https://moneyguide.org.uk/benefits-tax/housing-benefit-lha-dhp/)
- [Can I still claim Housing Benefit?](https://moneyguide.org.uk/answers/can-i-still-claim-housing-benefit/)

## Primary source

gov.uk/guidance/local-housing-allowance

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Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.