London tenants demand inquiry into rent variations

The call follows the ODPM’s decision to delay changes to the rent restructuring regime.

In a letter to housing minister Keith Hill, association tenants in Hammersmith & Fulham demanded the government look into the wide variation between association rents. The discrepancy is caused by differences in stock valuations.

A review of rent restructuring by consultant Hacas Chapman Hendy, published in July, found some valuations were significantly above average (HT 23 July, page 9).

At the time, the Housing Corporation said it would deal with these incidents as part of normal regulation rather than in an inquiry.

The government said last week it would delay restructuring changes for a year (HT 12 November, page 8).

In the letter to Hill, Ron Lawrence, chair of Hammersmith & Fulham’s Borough Forum for Housing Association Tenants, said: “We believe the concerns raised by the Hacas Chapman Hendy study warrant a full investigation.

“Not to order an inquiry would be tantamount to the ODPM sweeping the matter under the carpet, and serve to confirm tenants’ impressions that the only interests served by rent restructuring so far have been those of their landlords.”

The corporation said: “We are investigating Lawrence’s comments as part of our regulatory process and will report to government on this in due course.”