Have your say on rent flexibility for future council homes

What this consultation is for

Ealing Council is asking for views on whether it should use rent flexibility when settings rents for some council homes in the future for new tenants.

Rent flexibility means the council could increase the rent slightly above formula rent in certain circumstances.

If introduced, rent flexibility would not change the rent current tenants pay for their current homes.

It could only apply when:

• a council home is newly built or newly acquired, and becomes let for the first time
• an existing council home becomes empty and is re-let to a new tenant.

The maximum increase allowed would be up to 5% above formula rent for general needs homes, and up to 10% for supported or sheltered housing.

The council has not yet decided whether to use rent flexibility, where it would apply, or what level of increase would be used.

Only current Ealing Council tenants and those on the waiting list are eligible to respond. Your feedback on this consultation will help the council understand possible benefits, concerns, and how any extra rental income should be used before any final decisions are made.

Background

The council is considering rent flexibility because council housing services face rising costs and growing investment needs. These include repairs, building safety, damp and mould, energy efficiency, estate improvements, and the need for more council homes.

Rental income raised using rent flexibility would be used to support council housing services such as repairs, damp, building safety, and energy efficiency.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions document attached below for more detailed information