Agenda item

9.1

To seek authority to update the Rent Arrears Recovery Policy. The changes to the policy will ensure that the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) monies continue to be collected in a timely manner, with a bigger emphasis on prevention and support, trying to stop people falling into arrears in the first place. This income is used to provide comprehensive tenancy and estate management services for all Council tenancies, Council housing repairs, regulatory compliance and delivery of capital investment programmes to improve the quality of homes and assets held in the HRA account. It enables Sheffield City Council to meet it statutory and regulatory responsibilities to continue the provision of providing decent homes to council tenants and equality of opportunity for people to have affordable housing to live in.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Consider the results of the consultation and have due regard to the feedback in reaching their decision.

2.     Approves the changes to the current Rent Arrears Recovery Policy.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The changes to the Rent Arrears Recovery Policy will ensure that the Council’s Housing Revenue Account monies continue to be collected in a timely manner. They will enable Sheffield City Council to continue the provision of providing a good quality home to council tenants, and equality of opportunity for people to access a suitable affordable home to meet their needs.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Not updating the policy could result in a reduction of service and support to tenants to maximise their income and sustain their tenancies. This could ultimately result in increased arrears and reduced income to the Housing Revenue Account.

9.1

To seek authority to update the Rent Arrears Recovery Policy. The changes to the policy will ensure that the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) monies continue to be collected in a timely manner, with a bigger emphasis on prevention and support, trying to stop people falling into arrears in the first place. This income is used to provide comprehensive tenancy and estate management services for all Council tenancies, Council housing repairs, regulatory compliance and delivery of capital investment programmes to improve the quality of homes and assets held in the HRA account. It enables Sheffield City Council to meet it statutory and regulatory responsibilities to continue the provision of providing decent homes to council tenants and equality of opportunity for people to have affordable housing to live in.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Consider the results of the consultation and have due regard to the feedback in reaching their decision.

2.     Approves the changes to the current Rent Arrears Recovery Policy.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The changes to the Rent Arrears Recovery Policy will ensure that the Council’s Housing Revenue Account monies continue to be collected in a timely manner. They will enable Sheffield City Council to continue the provision of providing a good quality home to council tenants, and equality of opportunity for people to access a suitable affordable home to meet their needs.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Not updating the policy could result in a reduction of service and support to tenants to maximise their income and sustain their tenancies. This could ultimately result in increased arrears and reduced income to the Housing Revenue Account.