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New rent policy

Published: 19/09/2014

Flintshire County Council will begin a consultation process to change the way it charges for housing rent and services if a new policy is approved at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (16 September). The Welsh Government Minister for Housing and Regeneration has indicated the new Rent Policy needs to be in place by local authorities in April 2015 following the end of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy system. The Council has a complex rent system which is now dated so the new policy provides an opportunity to develop greater consistency. It is recommended that Flintshire works towards one rent for each size and type of property. The policy also splits rent and services like communal cleaning and gardening charges which will begin to be charged for separately. A consultation process on the proposals to include tenants, leaseholders and other stakeholders should is also set to be approved by Cabinet Members. Rent levels will be set at a target rent to maximise affordability and new tenancies will be let at the target rent from April 2015. Any charges for services will be implemented on a phased basis over three years from 2016. Councillor Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “The policy will set out guidelines for a much simpler system of rents across Flintshire. “Charging for separate services, instead of including these services within the rental payments, will make it clear how much services cost, providing greater accountability for the services being delivered.”