Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 21, 2025

Purpose:

Content: *RESOLVED –   1.   That it be approved that, for 2025/26, individual social rents for current general needs tenants be set based on the current national social rent policy, giving a rent increase of 2.7% with effect from 7 April 2025.   2.   That it be approved that, for 2025/26 and onwards, where a social rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level be increased to the target rent for that property.   3.   That it be approved that, for 2025/26, individual affordable rents be set based on the current national social rent policy giving a cash rent increase of 2.7% with effect from 7 April 2025.   4.   That it be approved that, for 2025/26 and onwards, where an affordable rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level be set by reference to 80% of the market rent (including service charges where applicable) for a similar property at the time of letting, or the formula rent for the property, whichever is greater.   5.   That the Housing Revenue Account Service Charges for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be approved.   REASONS FOR DECISIONS   1.   To enable the Council to set the level of council house rents in accordance with Government guidelines and the Regulator of Social Housing’s Rent Standard.   2.   To enable the Council to set service charges for 2025/26 to recover the costs of providing these services to tenants.   3.   To contribute to the Council’s corporate priority ‘to improve the quality of life for local people’.