Local Housing Allowance (LHA) used in Housing Benefit and the Universal Credit housing element will be held at the amounts determined on 31 January 2024 for assessments in 2026. Ministers laid the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Functions) (Modification) Order 2026 on 8 January, with commencement on 30 January 2026 across Great Britain. ([statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk](https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/aFi4NU7D))
The Order maintains the approach introduced last year, anchoring LHA to the 31 January 2024 determinations rather than refreshing rates for 2026. This repeats the method used for 2025, when the same reference date was applied across all broad rental market areas (BRMAs). ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/5/made?utm_source=openai))
Legally, SI 2026/5 modifies the rent officer schemes for Housing Benefit in England and Wales and in Scotland, and the Universal Credit rent officer functions, instructing that the 2026 LHA for each dwelling category in any BRMA is the allowance set on 31 January 2024. These are the same base instruments adjusted in 2025. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/5/contents/made?utm_source=openai))
Procedurally, the instrument is made under the Housing Act 1996 and proceeds by the negative procedure. It was laid on 8 January 2026, comes into force on 30 January 2026, and the objection period ends on 26 February 2026. ([statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk](https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/aFi4NU7D))
Operationally, nothing changes in how LHA is applied. Rates continue to be set for five property categories within each BRMA: the shared accommodation rate and one‑ to four‑bedroom rates. Practitioners should continue using the LHA tables determined on 31 January 2024 when calculating Housing Benefit and Universal Credit housing costs. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-housing-allowance-indicative-rates-for-2024-to-2025/indicative-local-housing-allowance-rates-for-2024-to-2025?utm_source=openai))
For claimants in the private rented sector, this means the LHA cap used in 2026 will not reflect any market rent movements since early 2024. Where contractual rent exceeds the applicable LHA, households must meet the shortfall or seek local discretionary support, typically Discretionary Housing Payments administered by local authorities. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discretionary-housing-payments-guidance-manual?utm_source=openai))
The Order applies in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland is outside scope and sets LHA via separate regulations; in 2025, Northern Ireland also anchored rates to 31 January 2024 through its own statutory rules. ([statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk](https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/aFi4NU7D))
Next steps for councils, landlords and advice providers are largely administrative: ensure benefits calculators, decision letters and guidance reflect that LHA maxima for 2026 remain those set on 31 January 2024; confirm BRMA look‑ups and bedroom category rules are unchanged; and brief tenants that this instrument alters no other entitlement rules. ([statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk](https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/aFi4NU7D))