Quick answer: LHA limits the rent help private tenants get, and Shelter Scotland explains how it works in Scotland.
This video is from Shelter Scotland. The principle is the same across Great Britain, but local help and legal protection differ in Scotland.
Key points
- LHA sets a limit on the rent help for private tenants, based on area and household size.
- If your rent is higher than the LHA rate, you pay the gap yourself.
- In Scotland, councils can top up help through Discretionary Housing Payments.
- Shelter Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland offer free advice if you are struggling.
- Check your rent against the rate before you sign a lease.
A tip
Ask for advice before you agree a rent you cannot afford.
About the video
The video at the top of this page is by ShelterScotland on YouTube. We picked it because its title is "Local Housing Allowance (or LHA) Explained". We did not make it, and rules and amounts change, so use the official links at the bottom of this page to check the details for your situation.
Sources and official help
This guide is general information, not legal or benefits advice. Rules and amounts change, so check the official links above or speak to Citizens Advice or your council before you make a decision.