Issue - meetings

REPORT TO FOLLOW – KEY DECISION

RESOLVED –

(1)  That Cabinet approved the change to a standard 52 week per annum rent collection cycle, from April 2020. 

(2)  That Cabinet agreed a review be undertaken of the Council’s rent policy to ensure compliance with the Regulator for Social Housing’s Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing, issued in February 2019. 

REASONS FOR DECISION – The operational change in the rent cycle from 48 to 52 weeks would assist those Council tenants who receive the Universal Credit form of benefits, which would result in all tenants paying a slightly lower amount per week than at the moment. 

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED – The option of doing nothing was considered but rejected.  The proposal to move to a 52 week collection pattern would enable a more transparent service for customers and more efficient processes for the Council and Rykneld Homes Limited (RHL) as managers of its housing stock.

The report to Cabinet proposed that the rent collection cycle be changed from 48 weeks to 52 weeks.  It was explained that this change would benefit those tenants who received Universal Credit.  They were often currently classed as ‘in arrears’ as a consequence of the way in which that benefit was paid.  The Chair would present this. 

Members welcomed the proposed changed and noted that the Council tenants would pay slightly less per week than at the moment.  They also hoped that by helping those tenants receiving Universal Credit the new rent collection cycle would assist them in managing their rents better and so avoid any financial difficulties. 

Cabinet was then informed that the Regulator for Social Housing had recently issued a policy statement on rents for social housing.  Members heard that the rent standard would now be applied to local authorities as well as to private registered providers.  As a consequence, the Council’s Rent Policy would need to be reviewed in order to make sure that it complies with the standard. 

RESOLVED –

(1)  That Cabinet approved the change to a standard 52 week per annum rent collection cycle, from April 2020. 

(2)  That Cabinet agreed a review be undertaken of the Council’s rent policy to ensure compliance with the Regulator for Social Housing’s Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing, issued in February 2019. 

REASONS FOR DECISION – The operational change in the rent cycle from 48 to 52 weeks would assist those Council tenants who receive the Universal Credit form of benefits, which would result in all tenants paying a slightly lower amount per week than at the moment. 

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED & REJECTED – The option of doing nothing was considered but rejected.  The proposal to move to a 52 week collection pattern would enable a more transparent service for customers and more efficient processes for the Council and Rykneld Homes Limited (RHL) as managers of its housing stock.

(Joint Strategic Director – Place)