A guide for private tenants
If you rent from a private landlord, you may get help with your rent and council tax.
A private landlord can be a:
- person
- housing association
- company
This help comes from:
What support you can get
Universal Credit
If you are of working age, you may need to claim Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit. It includes a housing costs element to help with rent.
- It helps with rent and some service charges.
- You must apply for Council Tax Support separately.
- Universal Credit is paid monthly into your bank account.
- It includes money for rent, which you must pay to your landlord.
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is based on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. These depend on where you live, who lives with you, and the size of home you need.
You may get Housing Benefit if you:
• pay rent to a private landlord
• are on a low income or get certain benefits
Housing Benefit may be paid to you or your landlord
Council Tax Support
This helps reduce your council tax bill.
You may get it if you:
- are on a low income
- get benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit
- live in the property you are claiming for
The amount you get depends on your income, savings, and household size.
Local Housing Allowance
Starting from April 7, 2008, we will pay the Local Housing Allowance to anyone who:
- makes a new claim
- changes their address
- has a break in their Housing Benefit claim
The Local Housing Allowance used to calculate your benefit will depend on:
- your age
- the age and number of people in your household
The amount of Local Housing Allowance you get depends on how many bedrooms you and your family need.
One bedroom for:
- every adult couple
- any other adult over 16 years old
- any two children under 10 years old
- any two children of the same sex aged 10 to 15 years old
- any other child
If you're single and under 35, you’ll get the shared accommodation rate of Local Housing Allowance.
This rate also applies to single people or couples who choose to live in shared housing.
Example 1
A couple with a son of 8 and a daughter of 6 will require a two bedroom rate of Local Housing Allowance. One room for the couple and one room for the children as they are both under the age of ten.
Example 2
A single parent with a son of 11 and a daughter 14 will need a 3 room rate of Local Housing Allowance. One for the single parent, one for the son and one for the daughter as the children are over ten and the opposite sex.
Even if they only occupy a two bedroom house they will have their benefit entitlement based on a three bedroom rate of Local Housing Allowance.
Appeal
There is no right of appeal.
This is because, it might change how much money other people get, even if they are happy with their own allowance.
Local Housing Allowance is less than my rent
You have to pay the extra money if your housing benefit doesn’t cover all your rent.
Local Housing Allowance is higher than my rent
If your rent is less than the housing benefit rate, we will base your benefit on the rental amount.
Other available help
You might get extra help if your housing benefit doesn’t cover all your rent.
A Discretionary Housing Payment is for:
- people who have serious financial problems
- have exceptional circumstances
- need extra help to pay their rent.
To apply for a discretionary payment, you need to fill out a form to show how much money you get and spend. Contact the Benefits Section for a questionnaire.
Contact us
Online
You can contact us online for help or advice about Housing Benefit or Council Tax support.
In person
- by visiting the benefit section at one of our customer service centres in:
- Neath Civic Centre, Neath, SA11 3QZ
- Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot, SA13 1PJ
Our phone lines are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
