What it means

In England, Social Rent is a specific kind of low-cost rented housing, generally provided by a council or housing association. Its rent is set using a government formula that takes local incomes and property values into account. It differs from Affordable Rent, another type of social housing whose rent can be linked to the local market. “Social rent” does not simply mean any rent a tenant finds affordable. The rules and labels differ elsewhere in the UK.

Example

Two homes may both be described as “social housing”, but one can be let at Social Rent and the other at Affordable Rent. The rents need not be the same even if both homes are in the same area.

Why it matters

Counts of “affordable homes” can combine homes with different rent rules, so the label alone does not tell you what tenants will pay.

Also known as

social rented housing

Related terms

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