CIH backs call for rent arrears code of practice

The code was proposed in a report by Citizens Advice, which said some social landlords were too quick to resort to court action to deal with rent arrears.

A spokesperson for the CIH said it backed the idea of a code of practice for dealing with rent arrears. Compliance with the code would be part of the Audit Commission's inspection of rent arrears management. The report highlighted good practice by registered social landlords including West Country Housing Association.

Meanwhile, homelessness charity Shelter has published a report pressing for a government-funded network of independent arrears resolution agencies to negotiate solutions without court action. Landlords would have to prove they had tried other ways of resolving the arrears before a court case could go ahead.

Court actions on rent arrears reached record levels last year, with more than 150,000 cases. Shelter estimated that each eviction costs local authorities between £1913 and £3190.

Ruth Lucas, senior project officer at the Local Government Association said: "We welcome the emphasis on prevention of rent arrears."

A survey by Shelter has revealed that around 150,000 people aged between 16 and 24 in the South-east of England have been forced to leave home at some time.

One-fifth of these had slept rough, in hostels or in bed and breakfasts for homeless people.