Housing and Council Tax Benefits

The Rent Service

The Rent Service is an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions. The Rent Service provides valuations for local authorities in England, for use in the assessment of claims for housing benefit where the tenant is renting from a private landlord.

Housing benefit determinations

In making a determination the Rent Officer will consider:

The level of rent
The rent for similar properties within the vicinity
The number of rooms
The age and number of people living within the property being assessed

The determination will usually run for 12 months unless there is a significant change to the property or the number of people included within the household.

Pre-tenancy determinations

If you are claiming housing benefit and are planning to rent from a private landlord you can ask The Rent Service to make a valuation before you sign the tenancy agreement. You need to complete a pre-tenancy determination form available on The Rent Service website or from your local authority housing benefit department.

The Pre-tenancy determinations form needs to be signed by you as the prospective tenant, and either the landlord or landlords agent, and returned to the local authority housing benefit department that covers the area where the property is located. This form must not be sent direct to The Rent Service.

To learn more about The Rent Service, visit The Rent Service website and visit their Frequently asked questions section.