Paul B from Haringey Defend Council Housing sets out the case.
The government wants to increase social formula rents by CPI inflation plus 1% a year for ten years, PLUS an additional amount for ‘rent convergence’, which could be an additional £2 increase a year for ten years on top. This is targeting some of the worst off people in society.
There is a consultation which lasts until 27 August on HOW rent convergence should be implemented.
The case for these increases is based on the assigned market value for each property, as set by the landlord, and there is plenty of evidence that landlords set these values much too high.
Landlord rent calculations cannot be trusted. Freedom of Information replies show that in a substantial number of cases in London, Social Rents for new homes have been set ABOVE the permitted maximum (“the Social Rent Cap”) – in as many as 32% of cases.
REAL rent convergence would mean getting rid of Affordable Rent and London Affordable Rent, and using Social Rent for all social rent homes.
Let’s use the consultation period to put the case against these unjustified rent increases, and bring an end to so-called “affordable rents”.