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Home and community
Setting rents for council housing
Each council is responsible for setting the level of rent that it charges its tenants.
How your rent is set
Housing associations and councils charge similar levels of rent for properties of a similar size, condition and location, regardless of landlord. The level of the rent is determined by how much your council needs to spend on services to its tenants. Water rates are normally included in council rents while service charges are added to rents. Service charges are excluded from rent restructuring since they are property specific. Your council will let you know of any additional charges when you sign your tenancy agreement.
Communal service charges
Communal service charges may include charges for heating, lighting, cooking and hot water depending on the type and location of housing. In communal accommodation such as sheltered housing, the total charges for these services are usually divided between all the residents. Instead of receiving separate bills for these services the cost will generally be itemised separately in your regular rent bill.
The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.
Where does your rent go?
Your council will pay your rent is into what is known as 'The Housing Revenue Account' and this is what pays for the services that tenants receive. It also covers other items such as the cost of borrowing for the original build of the council's properties and for building improvements.
Council and social housing tenancies
If your council or registered social landlord wants to increase your rent, it will usually give you notice in writing. If you pay rent weekly then you should expect four weeks notice. If you think the rent increase is too high contact your local council.
Housing association tenancies that started before 15 January 1989 are protected by 'fair rent' controls. This means that any increases have to be fixed by the Valuation Office Agency. If you think the rent is too high you can apply to them. Other tenancies with housing associations will have the same rights as private tenants.
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