Publisher's Synopsis
When determining rents for different types of council dwellings, section 162 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires local authorities to have regard in particular to the pattern of rents for similar types of dwellings in the private sector. The primary objective of the research for this report was to identify the extent to which local housing authorities in England have compiled with section 162, and to look at the reasons why many authorities do not comply at present (only 27 per cent compare their rents with those of the private sector). The report also examines the way in which members and officers approach decisions concerning rent increases and rent setting, and looks at tenant's understanding and attitude.
