First Month's Rent Flexibilities - Good Practice Guide

Affordability is a growing concern across the housing sector. Welfare reform measures such as the capping of social sector rents at LHA levels, the benefit cap and problems with the implementation of Universal Credit are contributing to many households, both in and out of work, being under increased financial pressure. Social housing provides an important housing option for homeless households, people on low incomes and for whom other tenures are inaccessible. It is therefore of paramount importance that these homes are financially accessible and remain affordable.

Welfare reforms continue to be rolled out and in practice means that there is less public money available to support tenants in social housing, perhaps contributing to less financial confidence and more risk-averse, less flexible behaviour among housing providers.