New Slough housing benefit laws
Housing benefit law is changing and the government will be bringing in new rules from April 7, 2008 which will give responsibility for payment of rent to the private tenant, rather than direct to the landlord.
Slough Borough Council will be advising tenants and landlords of the changes over the next four months before the Local Housing Allowance scheme (LHA) is introduced.
The LHA is the latest way of claiming housing benefit for tenants renting private accommodation, which will see them receive the money towards their rent from the council to give to their landlord.
The idea behind the new scheme is to help people become more responsible for their money and for them to start dealing with finances.
It also affects tenants already in receipt of housing benefit who move into privately rented accommodation after April 2008.
If you live in council accommodation or other social housing, LHA will not affect you.
Sunita Sharma, policy and quality development officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “This is a national scheme and the council is working hard to ensure that information is made available to tenants and landlords in the run up to April.
“It will help many people become used to putting their rent money aside in time for it to be paid, so when they do return back to work, they are in a better position to manage their finances.”
Commissioner for housing, Slough Cllr Tony Haines, added: “The LHA scheme will be a great advantage to people receiving housing benefit as it will give them the responsibility that most people have when paying bills.
“At the moment, the council sends the money directly to the landlord, but this will make private tenants become aware of how to pay for bills on their own and not to be so dependent on the council to sort it out.”
Over the next few weeks, leaflets will be sent out from the council to existing private tenants and landlords explaining in more detail the new LHA scheme.
Please look out for more details at MyCouncil on the High Street in Slough, in Britwell and in Cippenham library.
Slough Borough Council