From Friday private tenants and landlords in Cornwall will benefit from a new local housing allowance scheme that simplifies the way housing benefit is worked out.

Under the new allowance, tenants will be able to see how much benefit can be paid towards their rent before they take on a tenancy, allowing them to make an informed choice about the price and quality of the property they choose.

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Local housing allowance is being introduced nationwide and will only affect new housing benefit claimants and those who either have a break in their claim or change address after today. Housing association and council tenants will be unaffected.

With local housing allowance, all benefit payments will be made direct to tenants.

(CD/JM)