§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that local authorities' housing management costs are at a satisfactory level; what is the average percentage of rent revenue represented by housing 751W management costs; and whether his Department has offered any advice to local authorities on ways of reducing housing management costs.
§ Mr. ArmstrongHousing management costs vary widely between authorities and are affected by many factors, such as age and type of the housing stock. It is difficult, therefore, to form a judgment about the appropriate level of expenditure. Currently, it is estimated that in England the average percentage of re-bated rent revenue represented by housing management costs is 28 per cent.
No comprehensive advice has yet been given about ways in which local authorities might reduce management costs.