§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what guidance has been issued to local authorities on the matter of poll tax and inclusive private rents;
(2) what subsidy arrangements have been made for local authorities where housing benefit payments are to be made on the basis of inclusive rents becoming the new net rent after the abolition of rates.
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§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardGuidance on the subsidy arrangements for community charge benefit and other matters connected with inclusive private rents was contained in circular HB/CCB (90)2, a copy of which is in the Library.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance has been given to rent officers in reaching determinations of eligible rents under the housing benefit regulations.
§ Mr. ChopeI have been asked to reply.
The Rent Officers (Additional Functions) Order 1989 lays down the basis on which rent officers assess the rents paid by, and accommodation occupied by, private tenants claiming housing benefit. Advice on how rent officers might approach this task—particularly in circumstances where no direct market evidence is available—was included in a study of the private rented housing market commissioned by the Department from the consultants Price Waterhouse. Copies of that report were circulated to rent officers and placed in the Library in February 1989.