Agenda item

HRA Rents & Service Charges 2022/23

Decision:

(a)  Council house dwelling rents for 2022/23 to increase by 4.1% (CPI + 1%) with effect from Monday 4th April 2022. This is in line with current government guidelines and legislation.

 

(b)  Garage rents, heating, utility and ancillary charges to increase by 4.1% (CPI + 1%) with effect from Monday 4th April 2022. This is based upon the September CPI figure.

 

(c)  Service charges to increase by 4.1% (CPI +1%) with effect from Monday 4th April 2022. This is based upon the September CPI figure.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered a report that set out the proposed changes in housing rents and service charges for 2022/23 following the annual rent review for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties.

 

It was noted that the report would also be reviewed by the Customer & Community Scrutiny Panel on 25th January 2022.

 

The process of the rent review was governed by the Regulator of Social Housing’s Regulatory Framework and Standards and the Council was committed to setting rents using the Rent Standard guidance.  The proposal to increase rents by 4.1%, which was CPO plus 1%, was permitted within the Rent Standard.  It was also proposed that service charges rise by 4.1%.

 

Lead Members asked about the Commissioners comments set out in the report that highlighted the importance of delivery the service improvements of the new IT system which would achieve significant efficiencies and provide greater detail on the service charge calculation to tenants and leaseholders.  Officers confirmed that implementing the new NEC Housing IT System (formerly Northgate) was a key priority and was due to go live in the second quarter of the year.

 

Councillor Smith addressed Cabinet and queried the information provided to tenants on Universal Credit about the rent and charge increases.  Officers provided assurance that each notification letter gave a clear breakdown and the Council worked closely with the Department for Work & Pensions on data sharing to ensure the respective systems were aligned.

 

At the conclusion of the discussion the recommendations were approved.

 

Resolved –

 

(a)  That Council house dwelling rents for 2022/23 increase by 4.1% (CPI + 1%) with effect from Monday 4th April 2022. This was in line with current government guidelines and legislation.

 

(b)  That Garage rents, heating, utility and ancillary charges increase by 4.1% (CPI + 1%) with effect from Monday 4th April 2022. This was based upon the September CPI figure.

 

(c)  That Service charges increase by 4.1% (CPI +1%) with effect from Monday 4th April 2022. This was based upon the September CPI figure.

Supporting documents: