Frequently Asked Questions

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Local Housing Allowance FAQ's

Q: Does LHA apply to councils outside of Northamptonshire?

Q: The safeguard policy seems to be for the tenant, what safeguards are there for the landlord?

Q: Can vulnerability be deemed by the landlord and tenant alone or does it need to come from another source?

Q: It can be difficult to get proof from a claimant of their vulnerability. What can the Local Authority do to help?

Q: If the tenant is not vulnerable but their partner or another member of the household is what can be done?

Q: I am concerned that arrears could reach large amounts before anything is done to change payment method.

Q: Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA) – What does this mean and what area does this cover?

Answer:

BRMAs are defined in law.

These factors must be considered by the rent officer:

Have regard to access and standards of Health, Education, Recreation, Banking and Shopping
Distance of travel by public and private transport
Residential premises of a variety of types and tenancies
The aim of the BRMA determination is to identify a geographical area in which it would be objectively reasonable for a tenant of the dwelling in question to consider alternative places to live

The BRMAs will be mapped on a Geographic Information System and published and will be regularly reviewed.

A map of the main BRMA for kettering is available via our downloads.

Q: How does the rent officer work out the 30th percentile rate of all rents in the BRMA

Q: Will my tenants rent change to the LHA after 52 weeks when their current rent officer decision expires?

Q: What properties are exempt from the LHA rates?

Q: How much arrears will a tenant have to be in to change the payments to go to the landlord?

Q: Can a LA establish if a tenant will pay their rent to the landlord by standing order?

Q: What will happen if a claimant is overdrawn and the housing benefit is paid to their bank account?

Q: What happens if the Landlord increases rent payable.