The Rent Service (TRS) functions were transferred to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) on the 1st April 2009. All the services rent officers provided under TRS will continue, but all  reference to the Rent Service or TRS will be replaced by Valuation Office Agency or VOA.

 VOA provides valuations for Local Authorities in England, for use in the assessment of claims for Housing Benefit.  The cases that are referred to VOA are people renting from a private landlord and the claim is relating to a caravan, houseboat, mobile home, hostels and dwellings with board and attendance.  All other privately rented dwellings will fall under Local Housing Allowance.  To read details of this, click here.

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 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 your local authority housing benefit department.  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 Rent Service.

To learn more about The Rent Service click on the following link to their website and visit their Frequently Asked Questions section:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/TRS-Transition.htm