Housing Service: Rent Setting Policy

Overview

This consultation is for Waltham Forest residents, especially those living in council-owned or managed housing.

We are seeking your feedback on the proposed Housing Rent Setting Policy, which aims to ensure that the policy is fair, transparent and affordable while meeting legal and financial requirements.

The Housing Rent Setting Policy outlines:

  • How the council works out the rent for their homes, using a clear and fair method.
  • How and when rent changes are reviewed each year, and what limits are in place to keep rents affordable.
  • How transparency and fairness are maintained, and how residents are informed about changes to their rent.

Summary

The Rent Setting Policy explains how the council calculates and applies rents for council-owned homes. It ensures rents are set fairly, transparently, and in compliance with government regulations, while maintaining the financial sustainability of housing services. The policy covers formula rent calculations, annual reviews, service charges, and affordability considerations.

Before completing the survey, please read the draft Rent Setting Policy.

Overview

This consultation is for Waltham Forest residents, especially those living in council-owned or managed housing.

We are seeking your feedback on the proposed Housing Rent Setting Policy, which aims to ensure that the policy is fair, transparent and affordable while meeting legal and financial requirements.

The Housing Rent Setting Policy outlines:

  • How the council works out the rent for their homes, using a clear and fair method.
  • How and when rent changes are reviewed each year, and what limits are in place to keep rents affordable.
  • How transparency and fairness are maintained, and how residents are informed about changes to their rent.

Summary

The Rent Setting Policy explains how the council calculates and applies rents for council-owned homes. It ensures rents are set fairly, transparently, and in compliance with government regulations, while maintaining the financial sustainability of housing services. The policy covers formula rent calculations, annual reviews, service charges, and affordability considerations.

Before completing the survey, please read the draft Rent Setting Policy.

  • Why are we seeking your views?

    This consultation aims to understand how the Housing Rent Setting Policy affects residents, particularly those in council-owned or managed homes. We would like to hear your thoughts on whether the policy is clear, meets your expectations, and if there are any areas for improvement. Your feedback will help ensure that the policy is effective, fair, and aligned with community needs. 

    What do we hope to achieve?

    Through this consultation, we aim to:

    • Ensure the policy reflects the concerns and needs of residents.
    • Identify areas of the policy that may require clarification or improvement.
    • Gather feedback on how we can better support residents with concerns related to rent setting.

    Your input will directly influence the final version of the Housing Rent Setting Policy, ensuring it aligns with the experiences and expectations of the community.

    When completing the survey: 

    • Please do not include any personal information in your answers, such as your name, address, phone number, or email address.

    How to submit your feedback

    Please submit your feedback by 12noon on Monday 12 January 2026. 


    Take Survey