This meeting was scheduled to include a presentation on the Renters' Rights Bill and updates on the Right to Buy scheme, fire safety and private sector housing. The Housing Board was also scheduled to consider the council's response to two consultations by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, one about the future of social housing rents, and the other about the Right to Buy scheme.

Renters' Rights Bill

Marcus Watts, the Environmental Health Manager, was scheduled to give a presentation on the Renters' Rights Bill. The presentation was set to cover the reasons why the bill is considered necessary, the specific contents of the bill, its potential effects on the enforcement of private sector housing regulations, and the anticipated timeline for its implementation.

Right to Buy

Councillors were scheduled to note changes to the Right to Buy scheme that took effect from 21 November 2024. These include:

• A reduction in the maximum discount available through the scheme from £102,400 to £34,000.
• The maximum discount will no longer increase annually in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).

• The period used to calculate the cost floor of a property has been increased from 15 years to 30 years.

  The cost floor establishes the amount of money spent on the property in the last 30 years in excess of £5,500 (aggregate), regardless of when the home was built or acquired, including the acquisition/build price. ¹

  MHCLG Consultations

Councillors were scheduled to consider the council's response to two consultations by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (MHCLG).

Future Social Housing Rent Policy

The first consultation is on the future of social housing rents. The consultation proposes a new rent policy from 1 April 2026 that would allow social housing rents to increase annually by up to CPI plus 1 percentage point. This policy would be in place for at least five years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.

Reforming the Right to Buy

The second consultation is on reforming the Right to Buy scheme. The consultation seeks views on several proposals, including:

• Increasing the eligibility requirement for the Right to Buy, which is currently three years as a secure tenant.
• Amending the current percentage discounts available through the scheme to align with the new cash caps.
• Increasing protections on new-build homes from the Right to Buy.
• Whether to increase the time period in which the council has the right to ask for repayment of all or part of the discount received from five to ten years.

The council's draft response to the consultation expresses support for several of the proposals, including:

• Exempting newly built social housing from the Right to Buy.
• Allowing councils to combine Right to Buy receipts with Section 106 contributions to fund the development of new affordable housing.

The council's draft response states that the previous inflexibility around the use of Right to Buy receipts has prevented it from using the receipts effectively.

We have lost opportunities as a result of this. Allowing Right to Buy receipts to be pooled with section 106 contributions provides greater flexibility and less restriction and will therefore accelerate and boost replacement homes. ²

Manor Road Flats, Stansted

Councillors were scheduled to receive a verbal update from Brian Burton, the Interim Director of Property, on Manor Road Flats.

Fire Safety Issues at Sheltered Housing Schemes

Brian Burton was also scheduled to give a verbal update on fire safety issues at the council's sheltered housing schemes.

Securing the Future of England’s Council Housing

Councillors were scheduled to consider a report from Simone Russell, the Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Communities, about an initiative by Southwark Council called 'Securing the Future of England’s Council Housing'.

Private Sector Housing Update

Councillors were scheduled to receive a verbal update on private sector housing from Marcus Watts.

Housing Management Service Update

Councillors were scheduled to receive a verbal update from Rebecca Flowers, Housing Strategy and Operations Manager, on the Housing Management Service.

Resident Engagement and Feedback

Councillors were scheduled to receive a verbal update from Nicole Shephard-Lewis, Tenant Liaison Officer, on resident engagement and feedback.