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Letters are going out this week (from 1 March) to housing tenants of Bradford Community Housing Trust outlining their new weekly rents from 2 April 2007.

The Government sets the level of rent for social housing landlords across the country.

In setting new levels from April 2007 they are keen to review the difference between rents paid for smaller properties such as bedsits and one or two bedroom homes and larger properties.

People who have been tenants with the Trust since before the stock transfer of Council homes to BCHT on 23 February 2003 will continue to benefit from a five-year rent guarantee. It means that for most housing trust tenants their rent will only go up by the inflation rate plus 1.5 percent.

Typically, a pre-stock transfer tenant living on Ravenscliffe Avenue in a three bedroom home will pay approximately £62.11 a week as from 2 April 2007. The typical weekly rent of a one-bedroom flat on nearby Rillington Mead would be £44.57.

People who became tenants after 23 February 2003 are not covered by the Trust’s rent guarantee.  It means new tenants - post-stock transfer – living in a one or two bedroom home will see their rents go up by 4.1 per cent.

BCHT has informed the Housing Benefits and Supporting People Units of the new rent changes. It is important that tenants who receive either of these benefits make sure they check their case has been re-assessed.

Tenants who think they could be eligible for benefit support due to the rent changes should contact their local housing trust office.

A range of payment methods are now available to tenants including paying by Direct Debit and going online at www.bchtgroup.org. From 12 March, tenants will also be able to use Payzone points which are available at many local shops.

Derrick Palmer, BCHT Group Director of Finance said: “The Trust is legally bound by the rent levels set by the Government and as an open and responsible social landlord we have written to every tenant giving full details of the changes to their rent levels.

“Pre stock transfer tenants will continue to benefit from the rent guarantee we promised in 2003 which ensures the annual rent increase is at the inflation rate plus 1.5 percent.

“Overall, the new levels continue to compare favourably to the rents paid in the local private rented sector and as a caring and responsible landlord we are committed to providing affordable, safe and secure accommodation.

“As a customer focused landlord we have also introduced more ways of paying your rent to make things as convenient as possible for our tenants.

“I would urge anyone who has a query about the rent changes or needs advice about possible benefit entitlement to contact their local Trust office where staff will be happy to help.”

28 February 2007