Rent Compliance Hub

About the Rent Compliance Hub

The Social Housing Rent Standard applies to both housing associations and stock-holding local authorities. HQN’s Rent Compliance Hub helps you to stay up-to-date with the latest information, legislation and guidelines.

Setting rents for social housing used to be quite simple. But as we provide more homes across different tenures, understanding the rules and regulations for varying rent types has become a complicated business.

Our Rent Compliance Hub provides you with everything you need to know about the Rent Standard – including an exclusive compliance framework – while also illuminating best practice and filling a knowledge-sharing gap in this specialist area.

The hub is free to members of the Housing Quality Network and Rent Income Excellence Network. For more information, contact [email protected]

HQM

Sam Wiggle | Friday, 01 May 2026 – 8:43

Housing Quality Magazine April 2026

In the April 2026 edition of our quarterly magazine, we have an exclusive interview with Resolution Foundation director Lindsay Judge where we ask her to mark Labour’s performance on housing after nearly two years in … Read more

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Sam Wiggle | Friday, 06 Feb 2026 – 14:16

Talking heads: Housing predictions for 2026

As 2026 gets underway, we have invited some of housing’s leading lights to predict what’s in store for the sector over the next 12 months (and beyond). AI (obviously), cybersecurity, geopolitics, housing delivery and homelessness … Read more

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Jon Land | Tuesday, 03 Feb 2026 – 11:52

Regulator of Social Housing publishes new Rent Standard

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published a new Rent Standard for social landlords to following recent government announcements. MHCLG published a revised Policy statement on rents for social housing last week, which sets out rent … Read more

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Sam Wiggle | Thursday, 29 Jan 2026 – 15:04

Housing Quality Magazine January 2026

In the January 2026 edition of our quarterly magazine, we have an exclusive interview with Crisis chief executive Matt Downie where he talks about the charity’s pioneering plans to become a social landlord, his frustrations … Read more

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Jon Land | Wednesday, 28 Jan 2026 – 16:15

Government makes rent convergence decision – rate to come into effect from April 2027

The government has finally announced its long-awaited decision on the rent convergence rate for social housing properties. Originally expected as part of last year’s Budget but delayed until now, the announcement means that providers will … Read more

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Jon Land | Tuesday, 06 Jan 2026 – 11:16

London boroughs call for £3 per week rent convergence to ‘arrest managed decline of social housing’

The government’s upcoming decision on social rent convergence will “lay the financial foundations” for building thousands of new council homes in the capital and help to stabilise social housing budgets, according to London’s boroughs. With … Read more

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Job

HQN | Friday, 19 Dec 2025 – 0:00

Income Services Officer

We’re looking for an Income Services Officer who is passionate about supporting customers, sustaining tenancies and delivering effective income management. In this role, you’ll manage rent and service charge accounts for a set area, working with customers … Read more

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Jon Land | Tuesday, 09 Dec 2025 – 12:41

Opinion: Why housing faces a budget hangover

By Keith Cooper, housing journalist The hangover from Rachel Reeves’ leaky budget looks likely to last well into next year. Her financial statement was met like a wet autumn weekend after she kicked back plans … Read more

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Job

HQN | Tuesday, 02 Dec 2025 – 0:00

Income Officer

As an income officer your role is to provide a customer focused recovery service, maximising income collection and reducing rent arrears, whilst managing and monitoring the rent accounts across all tenure types. Taking any necessary … Read more

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HQN | Tuesday, 02 Dec 2025 – 0:00

Rent Support Officer – Prevention

Job Title: Rent Support Officer – Prevention (Permanent) Hours: 37 Hours per week (to be worked flexibly in line with business needs) Salary: £32,264.64 per annum (Plus *Casual User Mileage Allowance) Location: Based at Gadbrook … Read more

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HQN | Wednesday, 26 Nov 2025 – 0:00

Rent Income Officer

It’s an exciting time to join Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) as we expand and grow our business, whilst developing and improving existing services for our residents. We deliver housing services on behalf of West … Read more

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Jon Land | Tuesday, 28 Oct 2025 – 11:21

Regulator publishes annual snapshot of social housing stocks and rents

More than 4,000 social rent homes were lost due to right to buy sales during the year to 31 March, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has reported. According to its annual statistics on stocks … Read more

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Sam Wiggle | Thursday, 23 Oct 2025 – 11:31

Housing Quality Magazine October 2025

In the October edition of our quarterly magazine, we talk to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing chief executive Amanda Newton ahead of Awaab’s Law coming into force, Keith Cooper investigates the recent struggles at Homes England and … Read more

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Job

HQN | Wednesday, 08 Oct 2025 – 0:00

Income Officer

About Us We are proud to be a local landlord and business, connected to our local community. Across Enfield, Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest we provide affordable housing, managing around 1400 homes. Along with our … Read more

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Jon Land | Monday, 06 Oct 2025 – 13:24

Housing associations required to comply with new STAIRs standard from October 2026

Housing associations will be required to comply with the new Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) from 1 October 2026, the government has confirmed. Initially the focus will be on “proactively publishing information” relevant … Read more

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Job

HQN | Thursday, 25 Sep 2025 – 0:00

Rent And Service Charge Assistant

Rent and Service Charge Assistant We are currently looking for a Rent and Service Charge Assistant to join The Sovini Group. Fully committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; we promote a positive culture of … Read more

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Jon Land | Tuesday, 09 Sep 2025 – 10:52

Regulator highlights key lessons for landlords in casework review

The Regulator of Social Housing has today published a review of its regulatory casework over the last year highlighting key lessons for landlords since the new inspection programme got underway last year. This new annual … Read more

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Jon Land | Monday, 08 Sep 2025 – 13:17

Steve Reed appointed Housing Secretary following Rayner’s resignation

Steve Reed has been appointed Secretary of State for Housing in Keir Starmer’s reshuffle following the resignation of Angela Rayner. Following his appointment, the MP for Streatham and North Croydon, who was previously Environment Secretary, … Read more

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Suzy Histon | Thursday, 07 Aug 2025 – 17:07

Latest member question: affordable rent valuations

Guidance on obtaining new market rent valuations for setting affordable rent on re-let is vague, stating ‘reasonable time’ since the previous valuation. How long do you view/use as a reasonable time before for a market … Read more

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Max Salsbury | Tuesday, 22 Jul 2025 – 10:20

90% of repayment agreements fail within three to six months, research reveals

New research into the effectiveness of Repayment Agreements in the social housing sector has uncovered alarming failure rates, with 90% breaking down within three to six months. The study also highlights opportunities to enhance the … Read more

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Sam Wiggle | Thursday, 17 Jul 2025 – 9:48

Housing Quality Magazine July 2025

In the July edition of our quarterly magazine, we talk to the journalist, political commentator, activist and author Ash Sarkar about her book ‘Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War’ and get her thoughts on … Read more

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Suzy Histon | Friday, 04 Jul 2025 – 14:05

Latest member question: income officer roles

A member is reviewing their interview process and would be keen to know whether you require candidates to complete a test or presentation. If you’d like to post a member question of your own, … Read more

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Suzy Histon | Friday, 04 Jul 2025 – 14:04

Latest member question: rent tolerances

A member would be keen to hear from anyone who has changed a rent tolerance and then reversed this. They would like to understand the approach taken to ensure future rents for existing customers aren’t … Read more

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Job

HQN | Friday, 27 Jun 2025 – 0:00

Income Team Leader

As Income Team Leader at Leeds Federated, you’ll guide and support your team to deliver a high-quality, customer-focused income service that meets regulatory standards. You will provide practical advice and technical guidance to ensure policies and procedures are … Read more

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News

Jon Land | Monday, 16 Jun 2025 – 15:38

Housing Minister confirms 10-year rent settlement detail in letter to social landlords

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has provided more detail on the 10-year rent settlement for social housing providers, announced in last week’s spending review. In a letter to registered providers, Pennycook confirmed that social landlords will … Read more

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Suzy Histon | Friday, 23 May 2025 – 15:10

Document sharing: RIEN members, can you help?

We have members looking for good practice templates on: Former tenant arrears communications Affordable rent Rechargeable repairs Adjusting service charges (ie, removing one.) If you have a document you’d like to share, please forward to … Read more

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Sam Wiggle | Thursday, 17 Apr 2025 – 13:11

Housing Quality Magazine April 2025

In the latest edition of our quarterly magazine, we talk to Florence Eshalomi, chair of the MHCLG Select Committee, about the government’s progress on housing policy and its recent inquiry into children living in temporary … Read more

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Suzy Histon | Thursday, 27 Mar 2025 – 17:05

Latest member question: surplus service charges

A member would be interested to hear how others approach surplus service charge figures from a previous year where residents have received housing benefit or universal credit. If you’d like to post a member question … Read more

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Jon Land | Monday, 17 Mar 2025 – 10:48

Opinion: Thank goodness for the Regulator of Social Housing

By Alistair McIntosh, chief executive, HQN With all the talk of ditching QUANGOs it was a good move for the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) to put out their analysis of value for money (VfM). … Read more

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Sam Wiggle | Friday, 14 Mar 2025 – 9:23

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About the Rent Compliance Hub