Council backs plans to make wealthier council tenants 'pay fair share'

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Finance

Wandsworth Council has backed plans for a change in the law that would make wealthier council tenants pay "their fair share of housing rent".

The Government is currently seeking councils' opinions on a consultation paper called 'High income social tenants pay to stay'.

The paper indicates a potential change in the law that would ensure that "public funds are not used to cushion tenants on higher incomes".

Wandsworth Council believes an appropriate threshold would be for tenants whose incomes are £60,000 or more a year.

Rent on council and housing association-owned properties across the country are typically 60% lower than an equivalent property rented from a private landlord.

Housing spokesman Cllr Paul Ellis said: "Given the fact that social housing is so heavily subsidised by taxpayers it is only right and proper that tenants with very high incomes pay their fair share.

"We welcome this Government consultation paper and sincerely hope that ministers move quickly to implement its recommendations.

"Social housing is a safety net that's designed to help those who cannot afford other forms of housing, not people on very high incomes.

"There have been well documented and high profile abuses of the system and this reform would allow local authorities to bring an end to these abuses."