Landlords are being encouraged to report the level of rent on their properties to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in order to help local authorities determine average market rents in their area.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) says it is vital local authorities know what market rents are, so they have accurate statistics on the state of the local private rented sector.

Market rents are used to determine the amount of local housing allowance (LHA) which is paid to tenants on benefits. The cuts to LHA are seeing payments based on the 30th percentile of local rents, rather than to the previous 50th percentile.

David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, said: “It’s important that local authorities have an accurate picture of the rental market in their area to help them set their LHA payments, and they rely on voluntary reporting by landlords.

“With rents increasing because of higher demand on the private rented sector, this will help ensure tenants on benefits receive what they are entitled to.

“It’s very easy for landlords to report their rents and they can be sure that the information is held confidentially by the Valuation Office Agency.”

Landlords can report their rents to the VOA by filling in the lettings information and collection form and emailing, posting or faxing it back to them. More information can be found on the VOA website at: https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx