Rent increase for Doncaster council house tenants signed off

Tenants in social housing will see a 1.5 per cent increase in their rent from an average of £71.81 to £72.89 in line with Government policy.

But the rise in bills is smaller than the 2.7 per cent increase passed on to tenants during the financial year of 2020/2021.

The increases will be incorporated on tenants bills from April 5, 2021.

Council bosses were keen to stress that social housing rent averages were still the lowest in South Yorkshire despite the increases.

But housing chiefs have decided not to increase other fees and charges for things like garages and external heating systems.

Over the four years from 2016 to 2020, costs have increased by around 10 per cent while rent income reduced by one per cent each year, bosses said.

St Leger Homes, who manage the council’s social housing stock, has also carried out a number of works on properties following the Grenfell fire disaster back in 2017.

These include improvements and enhanced safety in the high-rise properties and other homes at greater risk from any incident of fire.

The Grenfell Inquiry has instigated a number of new national safety initiatives, and work is already ongoing to prepare for the emerging new legislation expected through the Fire Safety Bill and Building Safety Bill.

These will see new responsibilities placed on landlords and building owners, including the introduction of an ‘accountable person’ for each local authority, new building safety managers and more ‘stringent requirements’.

Julie Crook, director of corporate services at St Leger Homes, said: “The council provides housing to over 20,000 residents.

“The majority of these properties are let at social rents, which are currently the lowest within South Yorkshire, and they will continue to be after this increase. The proposals within this report mean that the existing tenants of these properties will pay higher rents in 2021/22.

“Increasing the rents in line with Government’s policy ensures that there is sufficient funding to continue to provide quality social housing maintained to the Doncaster decency standard and compliant with health and safety standards.”

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