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Written question asked by Tulip Siddiq (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 November 2025. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Friday, 28 November 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Social Rented Housing: Service Charges

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help protect social tenants not in receipt of housing benefit from increases in service charges.

Answer

Registered Providers of social housing are expected to set reasonable and transparent service charges for tenants that reflect the service being provided. Tenants should be supplied with clear information about how service charges are set.

The government’s policy statement on rents for social housing makes clear out that Registered Providers should endeavour to keep increases for service charges within the limit on rent increases, which is CPI (as at September in the previous year) +1 percentage point, to help keep charges affordable.

On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. The proposals will apply to tenants of local authorities and private registered providers who pay both fixed and variable service charges.It can be found on gov.uk here.

For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement made on 4 July 2025 (HCWS780). This consultation closed on 26 September and we are analysing responses.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
92620
Session
2024-26
Related items
Strengthening leaseholder consumer rights
Friday, 4 July 2025
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Social rented housing Service charges
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk