Issue - meetings

That the Committee note the latest financial position for rent collections in 2022-23 as set out in the report.

The Service Manager (Revenues and Procurement) outlined the quarterly briefing report on Housing Rent.  He explained the difficulties experienced during the pandemic, the impacts of the Cost of Living crisis and Inflation.

Rent Arrears collection for 2022/2023 had been a cumulative rent arrears position of just over £2 million.  Rent Arrears at the end of the financial year was up by 124k.  The Service Manager (Revenues and Procurement) was pleased to report that the year-end outturn arrears figure for 2022/23 was lower than the figure set out in the previous report to scrutiny. It was important to note that.  20% of tenants had fallen into arrears, but most did remain up to date with payments.

He added that the number of evictions was significantly down with only 2 evictions taking place, and re-iterated that every possible form of engagement had been made to avoid evictions.  He also added that the Council always endeavour to maximise collections whilst remaining fair.

In relation to write offs, the Service Manager (Revenues and Procurement) advised that they were lower than previous years and added that some were unavoidable if that person had passed away and for those who were subject to debt relief orders.

The Service Manager (Revenues and Procurement) also outlined the rent income pilot scheme currently being delivered which provided an alternative way of working in order to gain a closer working relationship with tenants.

Councillor David Evans said whilst the report showed what looked like a lower level of controlled rent arrears, he expressed his concerns with regards to the top end of arrears for those in the bracket of £2500 to £5000 which looked like it had increased.  He commented that once they cross an arrears threshold it just seemed to get worse.  He also asked what the Councils obligations were after a tenant was evicted, did the Council have a duty to home them, what was their level of debt and was there a breakdown available of the reasons for the eviction.  He also commented that the pilot scheme outlined in section 1.09 of the report sounded interesting and would like further information on the scheme.

The Service Manager (Revenues and Procurement) explained that the table of rent arrears was often difficult to explain as tenants quite often move in and out of the different categories, which made it harder to track and reiterated that the Council carried out early engagement.  He added that the Council did not track the movements of tenants following eviction but advised that those previous tenants were not currently re-housed with the Council.  He suggested that further information on the rent income pilot scheme be reported to the Committee in due course. 

The Chair referred to the number of tenants in rent arrears over £5,000 and asked how many of those tenants where subject to court orders and were paying a small amount of the arrears on top of their weekly rent.  She also asked if there was a trigger point when tenants were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22