Tenants guide

Contents

• Overview
• Fees and upfront costs
• Help with your rent 
• Tenant responsibilities 
• Landlord responsibilities 
• Difficulties with your landlord
• Rent arrears 
• Health and safety problems in your home
  
• Ending your tenancy 
• Eviction

Help with your rent 

If you are eligible for Universal Credit you can get help to cover your rent and some service charges. You get the payment and you have to pay it to your landlord.

• GOV.UK information about universal credit when renting from a private landlord

If you rent privately, your eligible rent amount for universal credit is either your Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate or your actual rent, whichever is lower.

The Local Housing Allowance rate is based on where you live and your household size. Find out from the Valuation Office about how many bedrooms you’re eligible for.

How much you get depends on your household income including benefits, pensions and savings, and your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability). Search for your Local Housing Allowance rates.

If you are struggling to afford the difference between Local Housing Allowance and the actual rent, you may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

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