How Is My Rent Calculated?

Will my benefit be based on my full rent?

Housing Benefit is not always worked out based on the full amount of rent charged.

When a private tenant claims Housing Benefit, we have to refer the case to the Rent Officer Service. They are independent officials who will decide if the rent being charged is reasonable. They do not set the level of rent you have to pay, what they do is decide the level of rent we can use to work out your Housing Benefit. If your landlord is a Housing Association we do not need to refer your case to the rent officer.

Can I find out how much I might get before I take a tenancy?

If you are thinking of renting a property, you can apply for a pre-tenancy determination. You can also do this if your existing agreement is coming to an end. You must apply with the landlord to the Housing Benefit department of the council but the rent officer will tell you and the landlord direct about the decision. This will usually take no more than five working days, or less in many cases.

The pre-tenancy determination will show you the figure that the Housing Benefit department will use to work out your benefit. It does not guarantee that you will qualify for Housing Benefit or say how much your benefit will be.

A form can be downloaded and completed from our forms page.