Getting rents right

The study aimed to determine how RSLs take account of affordability in their rent setting policies, to clarify which factors should be taken into account to achieve affordability, and to assess the potential of CORE and other data to assist RSLs in setting affordable rents. The analysis found that current practice among RSLs is often limited to qualitative understanding or to the comparison of rent levels with those of other RSLs. There is little clear guidance on the definition of affordability and a lack of appropriate incomes data. This hampers RSLs' ability to assess the affordability of their rents. Much can be done using existing data sources, particularly CORE data, which will remain the most important source of incomes data. Finally, monitoring affordability at the local and individual RSL level will remain important even if Government recommendations on rent determination are fully implemented.