The Rent Service

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 (PTD)

If you are claiming housing benefit and are planning to rent from a private landlord you can ask the VOA to make a valuation before you sign the tenancy agreement. You need to complete a pre-tenancy determination form available on the VOA website or from the customer services team (contact details below). The PTD 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 the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).
To learn more about the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) click on the link to their website: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA).