Decision details

Report of the Head of Housing and Property Services identifying how rent arrears are collected.

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Income Management Policy be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing explained that the policy had been revised to take into account the different income streams that the housing service collects.  He reported that the Government had proposed a 1% cut in Council rent per year over a 4 year period; this would have an impact on the amount of rent collected, which would have implications on maintenance, repairs and the development of new social housing.  He also felt that the new Universal Credit scheme would have an impact on the tenants ability to pay rent and outlined the processes that took place with regard to the collection of arrears.

Discussion followed with regard to:

·         Clear processes for rent collection and any arrears

·         A possible legal challenge to the proposed legislation

·         The implications of the proposed legislation on the Housing Revenue Account

·         The recovery of current rent arrears.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.