You are in: Services we provide » Housing » Housing Benefit » Stirling Rates

Local Housing Allowance

Local Housing Allowance is a way of working out claims for Housing Benefit, made on or after 7 April 2008, from tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord.

It will only affect tenants who already get Housing Benefit if they move into new accommodation rented from a private landlord on or after 7 April 2008.  Local Housing Allowance will not affect you if you rent from the Council or a Housing Association; if your tenancy started before 1989; if you rent a caravan; or live in a hotel or hostel.

How many bedrooms am I entitled to?

This depends on the number of people living with you, and their ages.

The usual rules are that you are entitled to one bedroom for:

  • every adult couple (married or unmarried)
  • any other adult aged 16 or over
  • any two children of the same sex aged under 16
  • any two children aged under 10
  • any other child.

Other rules which apply:

  • If you are under 25 you will be entitled to the shared room rate.
  • If you are over 25 and live in shared accommodation, you will be entitled to the shared room rate.
  • If you are under 25 and classed as severely disabled, you will be entitled to the one bedroom rate.

The number of bedrooms you are entitled to is then used to work out which Local Housing Allowance rate usually applies to you.

Where to get more information

If you want to know more about the changes and how they affect you, you can: