The Rent Service

The Rent Service (TRS) is a front line delivery organisation who provides a rental valuation service to local authorities in England, supplying them with a range of valuations to assist them in settling claims for housing benefit. TRS also provide Fair Rent determinations for landlords and tenants under the provisions laid down in the Rent Act 1977. TRS is an executive Agency of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

As part of the Government’s wider Welfare Reform agenda TRS supported the introduction of the new Local Housing Allowance (LHA) which took effect for new claimants in April 2008. Under this system TRS will be determining Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMAs) and collecting sufficient letting information to ensure the LHA is representative of the local market.

TRS is currently implementing a major change programme as it prepares for the transfer of its operational functions to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an executive agency of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which will be taking place in April 2009. Both organisations are working towards a seamless transfer whilst maintaining excellent standards of service to customers and stakeholders alike. Read more...

Local Housing Allowance (LHA)

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a new way of working out new claims for Housing Benefit (HB) for tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord. It also affects tenants already getting Housing Benefit who move into accommodation rented from a private landlord, on or after 7 April 2008. If you live in council accommodation or other social housing, Local Housing Allowance will not affect you.

The Rent Service, in conjunction with the Rent Officers Wales and the Rent Registration Service in Scotland, have developed the LHA-Direct website with three search functions:

Bedroom calculator = Work out how many bedrooms you may be eligible for
Local Authority Search = Find LHA rates by Local Authority
Postcode Search = Find LHA rates by location

Visit the LHA-Direct website

LHA-Direct now available

Guidance – Broad Rental Market Areas

House of Lords Heffernan Judgement 30 July 2008

The House of Lords gave its judgment in the case of R (on the application of Heffernan) v. The Rent Service on 30th July 2008. The appeal was allowed by a majority of three to two. In broad terms, the House of Lords has provided concise guidance in relation to the number of neighbourhoods that may properly be included in a locality. DWP and The Rent Service recognise that the judgment provides clear and practical guidance in relation to the interpretation of some of the more complex issues contained in the Order. Read more....

A copy of the judgment is available at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldjudgmt/jd080730/heffer-1.htm

Redeterminations Update

In the light of the Heffernan decision in the House of Lords, it has been decided to delay making any further re-determination decisions until new guidance is agreed and implemented in relation to the formulation of localities.

It would ordinarily be the intention of The Rent Service to provide a decision within 3 weeks of receipt of an application for a re-determination. However, in the light of the recent change in the law, this will not be possible for a period in the order of 8 weeks, as of 4th August 2008.

Corporate Publications

The Rent Service Business Plan 2008 - 2009 is now available.

The Rent Service's 8th Annual Report and Accounts on performance, developments and achievements is now available.

The document compares actual performance against the targets and objectives set in our Business Plan for the financial year 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008.

General Information and Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Quarterly LRRs (Local Reference Rents)

'If things go wrong' - Complaints Procedure Poster

Recruitment

There are no current vacancies available.

The Rent Service is an equal opportunities employer. We will interview any person with a disability that meets the minimum criteria for the post..

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