The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006

[F1 Transitional protection – reduction in LHA E+W+S

12M.— (1) This regulation applies where—

(a) reference was made to a maximum rent (LHA) in determining the amount of the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011;

(b) on or after 1st April 2011 the relevant authority is required to determine a maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of—

(i) regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a larger category of dwelling; or

(ii) regulation 13C(3) (anniversary of LHA date); and

(c) the determination referred to in sub-paragraph (b) is the first determination of a maximum rent (LHA) the relevant authority is required to make on or after 1st April 2011.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the claimant’s eligible rent is—

(a) the maximum rent (LHA) where that is equal to or higher than the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011; or

(b) in any other case, the lower of—

(i) the amount of the eligible rent which applied immediately before 1st April 2011; or

(ii) the amount of the cap rent by reference to which the maximum rent (LHA) referred to in paragraph (1)(b) was determined.

(3) Where the claimant’s eligible rent is determined in accordance with paragraph (2)(b) it will continue to apply until, on or after 1st April 2011, the first of the following events occurs—

(a) the period 9 months after the determination of the maximum rent (LHA) referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has expired;

(b) the relevant authority is required to determine a new maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a larger category of dwelling and the maximum rent (LHA) is equal to or higher than the eligible rent referred to in paragraph (2)(b);

(c) the relevant authority is required to determine a new maximum rent (LHA) by virtue of regulation 13C(2)(d)(i) (change of category of dwelling) because the claimant has become entitled to a smaller category of dwelling;

(d) the relevant authority is required to determine an eligible rent following a change of dwelling; or

(e) the relevant authority is required to determine an eligible rent in accordance with regulation 12D(3) (protection on death).

(4) [F2 Subject to paragraph (4A), where] the eligible rent ceases to apply because of paragraph (3)(a), the eligible rent will be the maximum rent (LHA) which would have applied but for the transitional protection in paragraph (2)(b).

[F3 (4A) Where on the date when the eligible rent ceases to apply because of paragraph (3)(a), the claimant is a young individual who has attained the age of 25 years—

(a) the eligible rent will be the maximum rent (LHA) which would apply if the relevant authority were to determine one by reference to that date, but

(b) the LHA date for the purposes of regulation 13C will remain the date by reference to which the local housing allowance used in the determination referred to in paragraph (1)(b) was identified.]

(5) Where the eligible rent is the maximum rent (LHA), it shall be treated as if it had been determined in accordance with regulation 12D(2)(a) (eligible rent is maximum rent (LHA)) and shall apply according to the provisions of regulation 12D.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 12M and words inserted (1.4.2011) by The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2835), regs. 1, 2(5)

F2 Words in reg. 12M(4) substituted (1.1.2012) by The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1736), regs. 1, 2(4)

F3 Reg. 12M(4A) inserted (1.1.2012) by The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1736), regs. 1, 2(5)