Affordable Rent update

The government recently introduced some big changes to the way new homes are paid for (the government's new Affordable Rent policy), which means that in order to keep building more homes we have to charge higher rents for some of them.

Please note: If you are a current Notting Hill Housing resident these changes will not effect you unless you choose to move.

When will things change?

We are currently consulting with the local authorities we work with to agree exactly how Affordable Rent will work.

We are planning that from January 2012 some of our homes – when they become empty – will be re-let at an Affordable Rent level. These rents will be higher than current rent levels but will still be lower than renting privately. Every other bedsit and one or two bedroom home will be re-let at Affordable Rent levels. Existing homes which are three bedrooms or larger will not be affected by these changes.

From April 2012 some newly built homes will also be let at Affordable Rent levels this will include some newly built three and four bedroom homes.

How much will the new rents be?

Homes that are let at Affordable Rent levels will be capped so that they are less than 80% of the private rent levels in the same area. Notting Hill Housing has introduced caps that are fixed below the 80% level to make sure that residents can afford them.

• Studio flats/bedsits – £215 per week
• One bed homes – £220 per week
• Two bed homes – £225 per week
• Newly built three bedroom or larger homes – £230 per week

Will there be any other differences?

Landlords have also been encouraged to use flexible tenancies to make sure they are making best use of their homes, to address problems like overcrowding and help people move to more suitable homes if and when their circumstances change.

Notting Hill Housing plan to let homes on a five year fixed tenancy, so that our customers still feel settled in their homes and communities, but have the flexibility to review their circumstances with us every five years to make sure their home is still meeting their housing need.

What if I am an existing Notting Hill Housing assured resident and I want to move?

If you choose to move to another property, you can chose to bid on Locata for homes which are advertised at social rent or Affordable Rent levels. This information will be included in the advert. If you are successful in bidding for a social rent home, you will pay a social rent and keep your assured tenancy. If you are successful in bidding for an Affordable Rent home you will have a five year fixed term tenancy and pay an Affordable Rent level.

What if I am an existing Notting Hill Housing secure resident and I want to move?

If you have a secure tenancy and you choose to move and you bid on a social rent property, you will retain your secure tenancy and social rent - known for secure residents as fair rent.

How can I get more information?

If you are already registered for a transfer on Locata, we have written to you to explain what the changes will mean for you, and what changes there will be to the way homes are advertised on Locata – so you know what to look out for.

If you would like to know more please contact your Housing Officer or you can contact our Housing Policy and Compliance Team on 020 8357 4436.