Introduction

As your landlord, the Council is seeking your views on its current plans for your rent and service charges for next year. This covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026.

All the money collected from rents and service charges goes towards funding the service provision of the Councils social housing, managed by Derby Homes.

In a period where many households are under financial pressures, the Council is conscious that it must work towards a balance between:

• the funds it needs to maintain your existing homes and provide additional ones
• the cost of this to you, and
• the cost to the wider taxpayers through welfare support.

When we refer to services in this consultation, we mean:

• services provided to you
• maintenance, repairs, and improvements to your home
• services provided to other tenants, and
• the development of new social housing

Please read the detailed proposals for each question before giving your feedback. For the rent and each service charge, there is a summary of the costs of the service, any pressures the Council is facing, and the benefits the proposal would bring.

Not all service charges apply to all households. Each proposal explains which services or who the charge will apply to.

Derby Homes is carrying out this consultation on behalf of Derby City Council.

The questions ask for your views on the current Council proposals for next year’s rent and service charges. The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete.

What happens with your feedback?

The results from this consultation will be discussed at the Derby Homes Operational Committee on 5 September 2024 and with the Derby Homes Board on 31 October 2024. The Board report will summarise the feedback collected as part of this consultation alongside our recommendations to the Council. It is planned for the Councils Cabinet to discuss next year’s rent and service charges at the Cabinet meeting on 8 January 2025.

The Council is regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) who helps to ensure that all social housing providers operate ethically and efficiently.

Help and support if you need it

If you are struggling to pay your rent, please contact Derby Homes.

https://www.derbyhomes.org/your-home/tenants/rent/#page-2

Specific money and benefit advice is available to all tenants.

https://www.derbyhomes.org/advice-support/money-advice/

Summary rent and service charges proposals for April 2025 to March 2026

Rents

The Council is proposing a rent increase of Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation plus 1% for 2025/26.

Based on an estimated September 2024 CPI inflation figure of 2%, this would currently be 2% plus 1% = 3% rent increase.

General service charges

The Council is proposing to increase service charges by the September 2024 CPI Inflation level. estimated at 2%. This excludes the specific service charges listed below.

Furniture Pack service charges

The council is proposing that there is no increase to Furniture Pack service charges for 2025/26.

Grounds Maintenance service charge

The Council is proposing a £1 per week increase for all tenants (and leaseholders) receiving the service.

Communal Cleaning service charge

The Council is proposing a £1 per week increase for all tenants (and leaseholders) receiving the service.

Utility (gas & electric) service charges

Parkland View, Kestrel House, Whitecross House and Rebecca House only.

The Council is proposing to align the service charges with forecasted 2025/26 costs.

New Council Tax service charge for homeless households living in council provided emergency or interim accommodation

The Council is proposing a new service charge to recharge for council tax for homeless households living in council provided emergency or interim accommodation. This is estimated at £14 per week.

New Carelink service charge

The Council is proposing a new service charge for tenants living in Supported Living properties in relation to the Carelink service. This is estimated at £2.50 per week.

This consultation is now closed.