Issue - meetings

Housing and Community – to receive a report (C-034-2020-21) on an Income Recovery Strategy and Policy which are required in order to give direction to the Income Recovery Service.

The Cabinet agreed to the adoption and implementation of the updated Income Recovery Strategy and the Income Recovery Policy which set out Epping Forest District Council’s approach to the maximisation of income and recovery of rent arrears ensuring compliance with current legislation and recognised best practice.

The Housing and Communities Portfolio Holder introduced the income recovery strategy and policy report. The Income Recovery Strategy and Policy was required to give direction to the Income Recovery Service, conveying clear and consistent messages about the service ethos to staff, tenants and other stakeholders.

The Income Recovery Strategy and Policy drew upon the previous Strategy on Rent Arrears which was considered and endorsed by the Council’s Housing Scrutiny Panel on 21st October 2014 and approved by the Housing Portfolio Holder in November 2014.

The overall aim of the Income Recovery Strategy and Income Recovery Policy was to focus on prevention, allowing the Council to maximise rent collection, minimise tenant debt and enable tenants to maintain their tenancy wherever possible. 

This strategy exceeded the obligations under the pre-action protocol, as the Council was now taking a holistic view and focusing on a one to one approach.  This had been piloted during the Covid 19 period, and had been very successful in identifying those people who needed help, whilst driving down rent arrears.  

Councillor Wixley asked about the visits undertaken by council staff, were they still going on through the pandemic and were we still identifying safeguarding issues. He was told that visits were still being undertaken before this current lockdown happened. Visits have been stopped during this lockdown period but will restart again after. Officer also picked up on tenancy issues and safeguarding issues. Also the council will shortly be starting  its own tenancy audit and would hopefully visit every tenant.

Decision:

The Cabinet agreed to the adoption and implementation of the updated Income Recovery Strategy and the Income Recovery Policy which set out Epping Forest District Council’s approach to the maximisation of income and recovery of rent arrears ensuring compliance with current legislation and recognised best practice.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

The prevention and effective management of rent arrears is critical in terms of maximising the resources available to the Housing Revenue Account, so that the Council can maintain and continue to improve existing council stock, fund the development of new stock and continue to provide good quality service to customers. This Income Recovery Strategy had been formulated in consultation with representatives of the Epping Forest District Tenants and Leaseholders.

Other Options for Action:

Not to updated the Income Recovery Strategy and Policy.