If you first became a tenant of Christian Action Housing before 15 January 1989 you are likely to be a Secure Tenant.
Your rent is set by the local council Rent Officer every 2 years. Rent Officers base their decision on the following:
If you disagree with the rent set, you may contact the Local Council Rent Officer. The Rent Officer’s details will be on the letter telling you about the increase. If you are still unhappy after contacting the Rent Officer, you may appeal to the independent Rent Assessment Committee which will consider your case again using the same information listed above.
Please note that the Rent Assessment Committee may set a rent which is higher than the one you are appealing against. We advise that you seek independent advice, such as from a Citizens Advice Bureau, before approaching the Rent Assessment Committee.
Rent Assessment Committee
Whittington House
29-30 Alfred House
London
WC1 7LR
Telephone 020 7446 7700
If you became a Christian Action Housing tenant after 15 January 1989 you are likely to be an Assured Tenant.
The government introduced a framework to restructure rent setting for all associations which was implemented on the 1st April 2002. This was entitled the government’s “rent influencing regime”. The CAHA Board of Management approved the amended rent policy applicable from the 1st April 2002 and this has been updated each year since. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister undertook a 3 year review of rent restructuring and made an announcement which was applicable for all rents from the 1st April 2006.
Each year rents for all CAHA properties which fall within the ambit of the government’s rent influencing regime have been increased according to government guidelines by the application of Retail Price Index (RPI) + ½% and the increase in rent caps of RPI + 1% where applicable. There are however a small minority or rents which are not covered by the rent influencing regime.
The government’s aim is that by 1st April 2012 all housing association rents should have achieved the government’s target rent figure for each type of accommodation in a local area. As far as CAHA is concerned this will be achieved for the vast majority of its properties in line with government objectives.
If you are still unhappy with the rent set for your property, you can appeal to the independent Rent Assessment Committee. Their address is shown earlier in this section.
Please note that the Rent Assessment Committee will set a ‘market rent’ for your property, which may be higher that the one you are appealing against.
We advise that you seek independent advice, such as from a Citizens Advice Bureau, before approaching the Rent Assessment Committee.
Details of the initial rent and service charge you must pay are contained within your tenancy agreement which you are given when you move into a property.
We will always give four weeks notice of any increase to your rent.
Although these charges are part of the total weekly sum which you pay for your home, they are not the same as rent. Service charges cover the cost of such items as:
When costs such as electricity and specialist maintenance contracts go up we may have to increase the service charge you pay. If you have a furnished tenancy you will pay a weekly furniture charge along with your rent. Details of the charges are specified in your Tenancy Agreement.
You have a right to:
Please contact your Revenue Officer if you wish to do any of these.