Rates guide

In each broad rental market area (BRMA) there will be a set of rates ranging from a shared room rate up to a 5 bedroom rate. Before 1 October 2008 families with a LHA entitlement of more than 5 bedrooms were referred to the Rent Service who would provide an individual LHA rate for that number of rooms.

From April 2009, for all new claims where families have an entitlement of more than 5 bedrooms the LHA rate will be capped at a maximum of the 5 bedroom rate. For current LHA claims where there is an entitlement to more than the 5 bedroom rate, these cases will be reviewed at the first anniversary of their claim, although no decision has yet been made by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on when these claimants will see a reduction in their rate.

In Plymouth there is one broad rental market area which means that if the Rent Service decides the Local Housing Allowance rate for a 2 bedroom dwelling is, for example, £117.69 per week, this figure applies to all cases that will be assessed using Local Housing Allowance throughout the whole of the city.

The Rent Service will continually monitor the local rental market and update the Local Housing Allowance figures every month. We will publish these each month on this website, in our offices and at other places such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Job Centres, PATH, Shelter, Housing Branch offices and Housing Advice.

Although the figures may change monthly this does not mean that the Local Housing Allowance rate applied to a persons claim will change monthly. A rate will be applied for the month in which the claim is made or treated as being made, and will be reviewed annually.

To view the current rates, please visit our current rates page.

To find out your room entitlement please visit our room entitlement page.