Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Director for Placemaking and Housing. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning(Deputy Leader).

Considering two new policies for adoption across the Council's landlord services: the Housing Income Collection Policy and the Housing Arrears Policy

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader) introduced the report which sought approval to:

-       The Housing Income Collection Policy which set out how the Council manages its housing income collection effectively by describing what the Council will do to collect and support tenants to pay their rent.

-       The new Housing Arrears Policy which explained the Council’s approach to minimising rent and service charge arrears.

It was noted that the two policies had been prepared as separate documents to make them as concise and easy to understand. The Housing Income Collection Policy had been written separately from the Housing Arrears Policy to emphasise the Council’s support of a ‘Rent First’ approach. The Housing Arrears Policy demonstrated the Council's supporting measures in place to minimise arrears if timely payment cannot be made.

In response to questions from Cllr Barnes, the following was noted:

-       Regarding the information at paragraph 6.13 and the query of whether a tenant must be in credit to be entered into the prize draw, clarification would be provided in writing.

-       That the aim of the prize draw was to increase the number of tenants paying their rent by direct debit as this was the best payment method possible.

-       In relation to the current picture for on time payment for rents and supporting tenants in managing and sustaining rent payments, it was noted that the financial inclusion team supported and brought in additional income of £5m of unclaimed benefits that tenants were entitled to. In terms of support, there were a number of support packages such as:

-       New tenancy sign up induction involving advice on benefit entitlement.

-       Signposting tenants to external debt buyers services who can provide financial management advice where the debt is not housing related.

-       Income and expenditure assessment for tenants in arrears with a supportive consideration of the repayment period taking account family circumstances.

-       Eviction considered as an absolute last resort with an internal eviction panel that comprises of housing staff, including housing demand, before a decision is made to with proceedings.

RESOLVED

To approve the draft Housing Income Collection Policy and the draft Housing Arrears Policy to come into effect from 25 October 2024.

Reasons for decision

These newly drafted clear and accessible policies will outline the Council’s approach to income management for Council tenants and for their wider households.

The new policies will help the Council meet the Social Housing Regulator’s consumer standards, specifically the Tenancy Standard and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard.

Alternative options considered

We could continue to not have policies in place for this service. This option was rejected because it would not meet the Council’s needs or those of its tenants. Introducing these new policies will assist the Council to meet the Social Housing Regulator’s Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard requirement to deliver fair, reasonable, accessible and transparent policies. This option would also not meet our commitment to introduce updated policies in the Housing Strategy 2024 ? 2029 and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35