Barnet Conservatives double social rents

Barnet’s Conservative administration have introduced an increased charge of an extra £100 a week on rents for new build council homes and re-let council homes being transferred to Open Door Homes (ODH) – the Council’s housing development company. The plan will mean council tenants in new and re-let homes owned by ODH will have to pay £209 a week for a 2-bedroom home compared with £109 a week currently charged for a council home.

The Labour Councillors on the Housing Committee sought to amend the rent policy of charging 65% of market rates for new council homes in Barnet’s draft Housing Strategy, but were unsuccessful in breaking to Conservative majority. Barnet Labour’s proposal would have meant council rents would not exceed 50% of market rates, which is in line with the Mayor of London’s affordable rent policy.

The high 65% social rent is the main reason Barnet Council were not able to secure more grant from the GLA, on the basis that the Mayor would not invest in building new social rent homes that are not affordable to those on low incomes.

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore has written to the Mayor to raise his objections to the Council’s policy, and to ensure that the Mayor takes this into consideration when negotiating with the Council on future housing grants, and when considering planning applications.

Mr Dismore said:

‘Barnet’s Conservative administration are yet again demonstrating their complete contempt for low income residents. This change will double the cost of housing for poorer Barnet residents, and stretches the definition of “affordable” well beyond credulity. I have therefore written to the mayor to ensure he is aware of this, should there be negotiations between him and the Council for future grant funding, and when he scrutinises planning applications that come his way.’

Barnet Councillor Ross Houston, who is a member of the Labour Housing Group added:

‘Barnet Tories talk about affordable housing being built, but in reality even the so-called affordable homes being built aren’t affordable. They should follow the lead given by the Mayor of London and make council rents affordable. It’s rich property developers who have benefitted under the Tories not Barnet residents wanting homes that are genuinely affordable to rent or buy!‘

ENDS

Notes:

FacebookTwitterLinkedInShare