Barnet Council raises Barnet Homes rents by 2.7% for flats and houses starting this April to boost housing funds.
The government cut social housing rents from 2016 to 2020. They reduced rents by 1% each year.
This cost Barnet Council around £6.1 million yearly. A council member said rent freezes hurt affordable housing. He believes they damaged new housing development. Council rents fund housing services, he stated.
The council says rental income can’t support all housing needs. Tenant rents fund 84% of housing services. This money pays for Barnet Homes services and also covers debt payments.
Temporary housing rents will also increase. Some will rise 10% or to match local allowance. Service charges for council housing will rise 4.9%. These increases should generate £2.2 million.
This helps the council’s 2025/26 budget. The council says housing benefits will help tenants. Over two-thirds get some support already. However, about a third get no help.
The extra money will fund essential property work. It will also support building new affordable homes. Council leaders call the changes a “correction”. They’re looking at support for vulnerable renters.
Barnet Homes has support programs for tenants. They have campaigns and an intervention team. They also have someone focused on fairness.