Agenda item

To approve an average rent increase of 5.4% in accordance with the government’s required formula rent guidance to be applied to all housing revenue account dwellings. To set tenant service charges, standard charges for non-residential property (garages etc.), heating & hot water charges and sheltered housing charges at the same level as 2013/14. To note the information relating to water and sewerage charges and the revised HRA budget for 2014/15.

Feedback from consultation meetings including Tenants Council was circulated at the cabinet meeting. Additionally revised versions of Appendices A, D, E and F were circulated based on a predicated  rent rise of 2.7%.

RESOLVED:

1.  That a flat rate rent increase of 2.7% be applied to all housing revenue account (HRA) dwellings with effect from 7 April 2014.  This percentage increase to be also applied to estate void and hostel properties from 7 April 2014. 

2.  That the council’s response to the government consultation ‘Social Rents in 2015/16’ (Appendix I) and its implications for the council’s letting policy, particularly the options put forward regarding setting rents for new-build and new-let tenancies at formula rent levels (paragraphs 34 to 37) of the report be noted.

3.  That tenant service charges be set at the same level as 2013/14 as laid out in paragraph 38 of the report with effect from 7 April 2014.

4.  That the standard charge for non-residential property (garages etc.) be set at the same level as 2013/14, as laid out in paragraphs 39 and 40 of the report with effect from 7 April 2014.

5.  That heating and hot water charges be set at the same level as 2013/14 as laid out in paragraph 41 of the report with effect from 7 April 2014.

6.  That sheltered housing charges be set at the same level as 2013/14 as laid out in paragraph 42 of the report with effect from 7 April 2014.

7.  That it be noted that water and sewerage charges levied by Thames Water are liable to an inflationary uplift as set out at paragraph 43 of the report, but as yet the council has not been informed by Thames Water of what that increase will be.

8.  That the revised housing revenue account (HRA) budget for 2014/15 (as set out in the revised Appendices A, D, E and F) be noted.