Good Practice Guide – paying benefit and applying the safeguards

This Good Practice Guide has been produced to supplement the LHA Guidance Manual Chapters 4-6. These cover:

• paying benefit under the LHA arrangements; and
• the operation of the safeguards for people who are unable or unlikely to manage their rental payments. 

The Good Practice Guide covers:

• preventing customers getting into rent arrears
• developing and publicising safeguard policies
• engagement with stakeholders
• proactively identifying customers who may need safeguarding
• notifying and reviewing decisions

We have also included some case studies in the annexes from a number of local authorities covering:

• working with stakeholders (Southend)
• operating the safeguards (Elmbridge)
• using the LHA to alleviate homelessness(Coventry)
• working with a credit union (Peterborough)

• Good Practice Guide (609KB)