31.10.13
Richer tenants to pay higher social rent
New proposals would allow landlords to charge tenants on higher incomes higher rent, housing minister Kris Hopkins MP has announced.
The changes will also affect social tenants, with annual rent increases linked to inflation using the Consumer Price Index measure, rather than RPI.
From 2015, limits on social rent levels would be lifted when tenants earn £60,000 or more and new rules would be introduced to require tenants earning above this threshold to declare their income to their landlords.
Hopkins said: “Today’s proposals offer a fair deal on rents for tenants, helping with their cost of living and ensuring those who can afford to pay more do and those on lower incomes know what to expect.
“But it also offers the certainty and stability councils and housing associations need too, to plan ahead and invest their revenues to build more affordable homes in their area.
“This and the £23bn of public and private investment planned in the three years after 2015, means we’re on track to deliver the fastest rate of affordable housebuilding for two decades.”
The consultation is published today, with the deadline of 24 December.
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