Before 7.4.08, maximum eligible rents were set at rates that followed determinations by rent officers. Rent officers are independent of the local authority; they look at your rent and various other factors before providing the authority with various figures that are used to calculate your maximum rent. The rent officer will do this annually, and whenever your circumstances change. For details on this type of rent restriction, see Disability Rights Handbook 32nd edition, page 41.
The Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Order 1997, Sch 1