Agenda item

To consider the letters explaining rent and service charges for flats and houses from 01 April 2019

The Tenancy and Income Manager presented the following documents for consideration by the HMAB:

·         Explanation of rent and service charges from 01 April 2019 for flats

·         Explanation of rent and water charges from 01April 2019 for houses

·         Formal Notice of a Change to Your Rent

·         Important information on other charges not related to your property effective as from April 2019

The Tenancy and Income Manager informed Members that the Council was awaiting clarification from the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the change from 52 weekly payments to 53 weekly payments for 2019/20. The Manager confirmed that the charge for retrospective permissions had been set at between £100 and £500 following a benchmarking exercise involving similar housing providers. Regularisation charges were not included in the retrospective permissions charges.

It was RESOLVED that the following amendments be made:

1.         Change all references of 50 weeks to 51 weeks

2.         Explanation of rent and service charges from 01 April 2019 for flats (page 1 paragraph 4) –

Delete: “The rent-catch-up weeks are the last week in December 2019 (week beginning the 23 December 2018) and the last week in March 2018 (week beginning the 23 March 2019).”

Insert:

“The rent-catch-up weeks are the last week in December 2019 (week beginning the 23 December 2019) and the last week in March 2020 (week beginning the 23 March 2020)”

3.         Explanation of rent and service charges from 01 April 2019 for flats (page 3 paragraph 1) –

Delete: “If you claim benefit claim, the heating charge and water charge are not covered by housing benefit. You are required to make these payments yourself.”

Insert: “Heating charges and water charges are not covered by Universal Credit. You are required to make these payments yourself.”

4.         Explanation of rent and service charges from 01 April 2019 for flats (page 3 paragraph 3) –

Delete: “Your council tax is paid separately to your rent. Any changes to your council tax will be sent to you separately.  You will receive this during March 2019. If you are in receipt of UC Housing costs and housing benefit, you may be illegible Council Tax support contact the Benefit services  on  01438 242440”

Insert: “Your council tax is paid separately to your rent. Any changes to your council tax will be sent to you separately.  You will receive this during March 2019. If you are in receipt of UC Housing costs and housing benefit, you may be eligible for Council Tax support contact the Benefit services  on  01438 242440.”

5.         Update Formal Notice of a Change to Your Rent after decision has been made regarding the change from 52 weekly payments to 53 weekly payments for 2019/20

6.         Delete page 1 paragraph 1 of leaflet “Important information on other charges not related to your property effective as from April 2019.”

7.         Important information on other charges not related to your property effective as from April 2019 - page 1 paragraph 7

Delete: “This charge will not … to tenants who apply in good time in line with the tenancy agreement.”

Insert: “This charge will not be made to tenants who apply in good time in line with the tenancy agreement.”

8.         Important information on other charges not related to your property effective as from April 2019 - page 2 paragraph 1

Delete: “Your tenancy agreement and repairs handbook also make it clear that if you lose your keys and cannot gain entry to your home, you are responsible for contacting a private locksmith and paying for a gain entry.”

Insert: “Your tenancy agreement and repairs handbook also make it clear that if you lose your keys and cannot gain entry to your home, you are responsible for contacting a private locksmith and paying to gain entry.”