Still time to have your say on social housing rent policy in Harlow

Harlow Council / Fri 20th Dec 2024 at 10:48am

THERE is still time for social housing tenants to have their say on a new Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing in relation to social housing rent policy from 1 April 2026.

The government is proposing to set a rent policy for social housing that would:

Remain in place for at least 5 years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. It is the government’s intention to set a further 5 year settlement for the period beyond this. However, it is also seeking views on possible variations to this approach that could potentially improve the stability of rent policy – such as confirming a policy for a longer period (e.g. 10 years) or on a rolling basis; and
Generallypermit social housing rents to increase each year by up to CPI plus 1 percentage point (‘CPI+1%’), applying both to Social Rent and Affordable Rent.

The Direction would require the Regulator to set a regulatory standard on rents that will apply to Registered Providers of social housing.

This encompasses:

· Private Registered Providers (including housing associations that are Private Registered Providers)

· Local authority Registered Providers (such as councils like Harlow Council with retained housing stock)

Section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 gives the Secretary of State the power to direct the Regulator of Social Housing to set a standard on rent, and about the content of that standard. Once issued, a Direction is binding on the Regulator. The government proposes to use this power to issue a new Direction to the Regulator on rent. The proposed Direction has been published alongside the consultation.

The consultation closes on 11:45pm on 23 December 2024

For more information and to have your say visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-future-social-housing-rent-policy

3 Comments for Still time to have your say on social housing rent policy in Harlow:

Seamus

2024-12-20 15:36:00

It's interesting when councils and this government in particular, say they want public input. Interesting because no matter what the public say, the council/government will do exactly what they want no matter what the public say. Winter heating assistance, farmers, failed promises and waspi all showed the publics opinion and the government just trashed the lot. "Public consultation" is little more than a box to tick and then laugh at the voters hoping you'll forget their arrogance 6 months before the next election

Mickeymouse

2024-12-21 14:47:11

Benefits above most earnings. So rent to be changed each year and increased. Contracts need to specify upkeep of properties. Keeping them n communal areas litter free. No dumping of furniture, car parts, tyres, paints, old bikes. Bin area kept clean n tidy. Gardens looked after and grass cut. 2 cars only at house. House kept painted in good repair. To contact council maintenance officers for timely repairs. Rent paid on time, any arrears and lose house. Any neighbour disputes lose homes. Not to use as drug dens. Not to sublet.

James Gamble

2024-12-23 13:45:13

The best answer to our housing problems is to go down the line of Council housing. It is more affordable and tenant are more secure in them. Issues such as maintenance can be resolved by better management and right to buy can be resolved by right to lease. We may feel we own property but in fact we only lease them for life. Tenancy agreements should be drawn up where single occupancy is not allowed, so when your family has grown up and moved out you will have to move into a flat. There is definitely no such thing as affordable or social housing, affordable to whom and as for social housing perhaps a pub.