Local housing allowance examples

Use the information on this page to help you work out which rate is likely to apply to your situation.

Example
If you're aged under 35, single and have no dependant children
Applicable LHA rate
Shared room
Example
If you're a care leaver under 22, or live with a care leaver under 22 who is your partner, and you have no dependant children. By care leaver we mean someone who was in council care after the age of 15.
Applicable LHA rate
One bedroom
Example
If you're severely disabled or live with a severely disabled partner and have no dependant children
Applicable LHA rate
One bedroom
Example

If you share any part of your accommodation. This means you have exclusive use of only one bedroom and shared use of one or more of the following:

  • Kitchen
  • Bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Room suitable for living in

If you're a joint tenant, you'll probably fall into this category.

Applicable LHA rate
Shared room
Example

A single person aged 35 or over, with no children OR a couple with no children living in a self-contained flat or in shared accommodation with two or more rooms (bedrooms or living rooms) that no-one else can use.

By couple we mean a couple who are married or living together as if they're married (this includes couples of the same sex).

By a self-contained property we mean one where you have your own room plus your own:

  • Bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Kitchen (or facilities to cook with)

For example, this could be a one-bedroom flat.

Applicable LHA rate
One bedroom
Example
A single person aged 35 or over, with no children OR a couple with no children, living in a house where they share facilities and don't have two or more rooms (bedrooms or living rooms) that no-one else can use.
Applicable LHA rate
Shared room
Example
A couple with a nine-year-old child
Applicable LHA rate
Two bedrooms (one for the couple and one for the child)
Example

A single mother who has three children:

  • Two sons, aged 14 and six
  • One daughter, aged 11
Applicable LHA rate
Three bedrooms (one for the single mother, one for the daughter and one for the two sons)
Example

A couple with five children:

  • Two sons aged 15 and 17
  • Three daughters aged 12, nine and six
Applicable LHA rate
Four bedrooms (one for the couple, one for each son, one for two daughters to share and a fifth room for the other daughter, but LHA is restricted to a maximum rate of four rooms)