Does anyone have an opinion on the likely effect of the recent House of Lords judgement (Rightsnet 30/7/08) which ruled that rent officers should normally define "locality" as a smaller geographical area up to now?

Localities are still used when housing association lettings are referred, to hostels and to b+b housing. Will the rent service really go back and review all their localities?

At least one of the judges suggested that there was very little difference between a locality and LHA broad market area and I'm aware that some Rent Officers are using the same large areas reference rent localities as they are for the LHA. Do you think the judgement has an impact on LHA?

hi chris -

doesn't answer your question, but you may be interested in new HB guidance on heffernan ..

.. see today's rightsnet new story Meaning of locality in determining the local reference rent for HB purposes: New DWP guidance following Lords judgment in Heffernan

cheers - shawn