Decision

*RESOLVED –

1. That, for 2026/27, individual social rents for current general needs tenants be set based on the current national social rent policy (CPI + 1%), giving a rent increase of 4.8% with effect from 6 April 2026.
2. That, for 2026/27, and onwards, where a social rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level be increased to the target rent for that property.
3. That, for 2026/27, individual affordable rents be set based on the current national social rent policy (CPI + 1%) giving a cash rent increase of 4.8% with effect from 6 April 2026.
4. That, for 2026/27 and onwards, where an affordable rent property is re-let to a new or transferring tenant the rent level be set by reference to 80% of the market rent (including service charges where applicable) for a similar property at the time of letting, or the formula rent for the property, whichever is greater.
5. That the Housing Revenue Account Service Charges for 2026/27, as set out in Appendix 1 to the officer’s report, be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

1. To enable the Council to set the level of council house rents for 2026/27 in accordance with Government guidelines and the Regulator of Social Housing’s Rent Standard.
2. To enable the Council to set service charges for 2026/27 to recover the costs of providing these services to tenants.
3. To contribute to the Council’s corporate priority ‘to improve the quality of life for local people’.