Cheshire Homechoice

Affordable Rents

Some of our newer adverts will now include properties that have been assessed under the Affordable Rents model.  The information below is designed as a brief guide and overview,  if you have any questions about Affordable Rents please contact the team on 0300 123 5031

What is affordable rent?

The Government is looking to introduce greater flexibility in the social housing system to offer a wider range of rental options to meet changing housing needs.

Affordable Rent is intended to help those who would not otherwise have been able to afford housing in the private sector. It is designed to provide an alternative to traditional social rent and greater access to affordable homes for more people.

The difference between Social Rent and Affordable Rent is that Affordable Rent will be slightly higher as it allows the landlord to charge up to 80% of market rent levels within the local area. But these rents will still be low and affordable.  However, landlords may carry out a financial assessment as part of their short listing process to ensure it is affordable to each applicant, before they will proceed with an allocation.

How will it work?

Affordable Rent properties will be allocated in the same way that Social Rent properties are now through Cheshire HomeChoice and there will be no change to the services tenants will receive.

Affordable Rents will only apply to new development or converted void properties and will not apply to all social housing.

Because the partner landlords are only applying these rents to a percentage of properties, from time to time you may see two identical properties in the same street advertised at two different rents.

Will Housing Benefit pay the higher rent?

In most cases if you are eligible for housing benefit and your family type is suited for the property then the answer will be  ‘yes’.  However, if you are unsure please call the Housing Benefit Team on 0300 123 5013.

How will I know if a property is an Affordable Rent Property?

It should be clear from the advert, and be clearly outlined in the more detailed information.  If you are unsure, please contact homechoice on  0300 123 5031