Decision details

Agreed:-

(1)     That approval is given to authorise the Director of Housing to adjust council rents and housing related charges with effect from 3rd April 2023 as follows:

(a)   Increase rental charges by 5%, which is 2% below the government’s social rental cap of 7%.

(b)   Increase housing service charges by the consumer price index (CPI) + 1%, equivalent to a 11.1% increase.

(c)   That subject to consultation with the residents of the site, to increase rent at the traveller’s pitch in Hills View, Tipton by 5%

(d)   That properties managed by Riverside under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) agreement receive a 5% rental increase and a 11.1% increase in service charges, which need to match the councils rent and service charge increases.

(e)   That properties that sit outside the Housing Revenue Account (including service tenants for Parks, Sandwell Valley and Caretaking) receive a 11.1% increase in rental charges and service charges, which is equivalent to CPI plus 1%.

(f)    That the leaseholder annual fee be increase by 11.1%, CPI + 1% in 2023/24 from £104.10 to £115.66.

(g)   That the Director of Housing undertake a further review on garage rents and submit a further report to Cabinet in due course.

(2)     That the Director of Housing be authorised to establish a hardship fund for HRA tenants (to support them in their tenancy) and to allocate £100k of HRA reserves, to be reviewed annually.