Rent charges

Jump to:

• 1. Statement of Intent
• 2. Detail
• 3. Key targets / standards

1. Statement of Intent

The Council has adopted the ten year rent strategy issued by the Government in its rent policy statement in December 2002 (updated in December 2004)

The objectives include keeping social rents affordable in the long term, making them less confusing for tenants, having a closer link between rents and the qualities that tenants value in properties and removing unjustifiable differences between rents set by local authorities and by registered social landlords.

Back to top

2. Detail

2.1 Target rent for properties will be calculated according to Government guidance, with all re-lets at the current applicable rent for the appropriate year.

2.2 All figures are scheduled for review by the Department for Communities and Local Government as part of the three year progress review.

2.3 Re-structuring will be phased in evenly over ten years because the Government subsidy is based on that assumption.

2.4 The annual estimates setting process also considers charges for garages, bed and breakfast and plots on gypsy sites (managed for Surrey County Council).

2.5 Sub-accounts will be added to the weekly rent charge for heating, cable TV recharge, supporting people costs and service charges.

2.6 In circumstances where it is necessary to refund a rent credit to a current or former tenant, the Council aims to ensure that payments are made promptly where a valid request for a rent refund is received. Measures will be adopted to avoid the possibility of fraud or theft.

Back to top

3. Key targets / standards

3.1 Keep rents affordable whilst not making housing association lettings unattractive on grounds of rent differential.

3.2 Bring all rents to target rent level by April 2011.

3.3 A refund should be issued within 10 days of the receipt of the request.

3.4 Procedures will be updated and amended periodically to reflect current standing orders, financial regulations, legal and good practice.

Date approved - 23 March 2005

Amalgamation of policies 30: Rent setting and 32: Refund of rent credit.