Please select a month from the left menu to view the rates for Local Housing Allowance.
From 1st April 2012 Local Housing Allowance rates will be set for 12 months and will not change again until April 2013. This means, irrespective of which month you make your claim in, the Local Housing Allowance figure used will be the annual figure set in April 2012.
If your claim is calculated using the Local Housing Allowance we will consider the number of rooms your household needs, not the number of rooms in the property or the amount of rent you are charged. If you require more than four rooms your Local Housing Allowance will be restricted to four room rate.
The number of bedrooms you need is based on the number, age and gender of people you have living with you.
You are allowed one bedroom for:
• A couple
• Any other adult (age 16 or over)
• Any two children under the age of 10
• Any two children of the same sex under the age of 16
• Any other child under the age of 16
• Non resident carer for overnight stays- As of 01.04.11
For single claimants under 35 years old there will be a "shared" rate of Local Housing Allowance. This rate will also apply to single people over 35 and couples with no other occupiers who choose to live in shared accommodation.
Choose the ‘Shared accommodation’ rate if one or more of the below applies:
• You are part of a couple, don’t live with dependants and rent a room in shared accommodation
• You are 34 years or younger and single (exemptions for severely disabled people and care leavers under 22 years of age)
• You are 35 years or over, and rent a room for your sole use in a shared accommodation
Choose the ‘One bedroom’ rate if:
You are 35 years or over and rent a self-contained property (e.g. a whole flat or house)
You are 25 to 34 and rent a self-contained property and meet either of the following criteria:
Vulnerable Homeless: You have for a total of at least 3 months (whether or not continuously), occupied as your home, one or more hostels for homeless people; and whilst occupying such a hostel, have been offered and have accepted support services with a view to assisting to be rehabilitated or resettled within the community.
Ex Offenders: The exemption will apply to ex offenders aged 25 or over who are subject to Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).The exemption will only apply if you are a Level 2 or 3 MAPPA offender. If you feel you are eligible for exemption under this rule then please contact your Offender Manager or the Duty Manager at the Probation Services or Police Station. Please do not telephone or write to this council with your details, as an exemption can only be awarded by the Probation Services or Police Services completing the appropriate form and sending the form to Southampton City Council through a secure email address.
Southampton City Council
