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.

If you are:

• In a tenancy that began before 1989
• Renting from a charitable organisation that provides support
• Living in a caravan, houseboat, mobile home or hostel
• Living in board and attendance accomodation

And are claiming Housing Benefit and plan to rent from a private landlord you can ask TRS to make a valuation before you sign the tenancy agreement. You need to complete a pre-tenancy determination form available on TRS website or from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. The Pre-tenancy Determination form needs to be signed by you as the prospective tenant, and either the landlord or landlord's 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.

If your circumstances are not in the above list, your claim will be assessed under the Local Housing Allowance scheme and you will not need to complete a Pre-tenancy Determination form. You can find out how much you could claim under the Local Housing Allowance scheme, please go to the Local Housing Allowance rates page.