Consultation outcome

Consultation on future social housing rent policy

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Detail of outcome

See How to implement Social Rent convergence for the outcome to both this consultation and the consultation on how to implement Social Rent convergence.


Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on a new Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing in relation to social housing rent policy from 1 April 2026.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

We are seeking views on a draft Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing. The Direction would require the Regulator to set a regulatory standard on rents that will apply to Registered Providers of social housing.

This encompasses:

  • Private Registered Providers (including housing associations that are Private Registered Providers)
  • Local authority Registered Providers (such as local authorities with retained housing stock)

Section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 gives the Secretary of State the power to direct the Regulator of Social Housing to set a standard on rent, and about the content of that standard. Once issued, a Direction is binding on the Regulator. We propose to use this power to issue a new Direction to the Regulator on rent. The proposed Direction has been published alongside this consultation.

Documents

Annex A: Draft rent direction

Updates to this page

Published 30 October 2024
Last updated 28 January 2026 show all updates
  1. Outcome of the consultations on future social housing rent policy and Social Rent convergence published.

  2. First published.

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