Earlier this month, there was a detailed discussion by Barnet Council’s Housing Committee on the topic of providing sufficient affordable housing in the borough over the next decade, reducing homelessness, and ensuring that tenants have access to high quality homes. The aim was to work out practical strategies to address these issues and to clarify their main housing priorities for the next few years.

The plans include taking action against unscrupulous landlords who charge high prices for badly maintained properties, as well as bringing empty properties back into active use. The council will also be building hundreds of new council houses to meet the rising demand, to be added onto the thousands of new homes which are already being built as part of extensive regeneration taking place throughout the borough.

Construction has already begun on these new homes, the first new council houses to be built in the borough for more than two decades. The council is committed to keeping these homes affordable, so they will be available at 65 per cent of the average market rent or at the Local Housing Allowance rate, depending on which is lower. It is hoped that these measures will help to reduce the lack of affordable homes and the problem of tenants being charged over the odds for low quality and unsafe housing.

If you own a property in this area of London, you could help to contribute towards alleviating housing shortages by opting to let your property with the council. When you choose to put your investment property up for council leasing in Barnet, you will experience many benefits as a landlord, in particular handing over responsibility for property management to professionals who will take care of everything for you. If you would like more information on this topic, please get in touch and we will help you to make the necessary steps towards leasing your property with a London borough council.