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.