Local Housing Allowance in England: what to do if it falls short of your rent

Landlords · Originally published 19/09/2026 · Updated 09/11/2026 · 2 min read

How to compare your rent with your housing support and ask your council for help with a shortfall.

In September 2026, the Resolution Foundation warned that the gap between lower-priced private rents and the housing support available to low-income renters was set to reach a record high in October. That was the foundation’s forecast. For a household choosing a home or facing a rent increase, the immediate question is how much of the rent its own award will cover.

Check the rate for the property

Local Housing Allowance helps determine how much rent can be taken into account when calculating support for eligible private renters. The rate depends on the local rental market area and the size of home the household qualifies for. The Valuation Office Agency says its Housing Benefit rates from April 2026 to March 2027 were carried forward from April 2024. The Department for Work and Pensions publishes separate monthly tables for Universal Credit.

Start with the postcode and the bedroom category that applies to your household. Then compare your rent with the housing costs amount in your actual award, using the same period for both figures. A weekly figure and a monthly figure cannot be compared directly. The published allowance rate and the payment you receive can differ, so check your award statement before using the table to plan a budget.

Ask your council about help with a shortfall

In England, the Housing Payment part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced Discretionary Housing Payments from April 2026. Council schemes can help eligible people with some housing costs, including a rent shortfall. The council decides whether to make an award and how long it lasts. Look up your council’s Housing Payment scheme and have your tenancy agreement, rent figure and benefit award to hand.

If you are considering a move, work out the gap before paying a holding deposit. If you are already behind, contact the council or an independent housing adviser early. Bring any rent increase notice and recent statements so they can check what has changed and which options are available.

Sources

[Resolution Foundation’s September analysis](https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/press-releases/chancellor-must-act-to-address-record-gap-between-local-rents-and-support-available-to-low-income-renters/)
[Universal Credit Local Housing Allowance tables](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-local-housing-allowance-rates-2026-to-2027)
[Valuation Office Agency rates](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2026-to-march-2027)
[Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance for England](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029/the-crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029)

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