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Social rent: what it means

Rented homes owned by councils or housing associations, with rents set using a government formula and usually well below market rents.

Social rent homes are let by local councils and housing associations (private registered providers) at rents set through a national formula. The formula takes account of local earnings, the relative value of the property and its size, and annual increases are limited by the government's rent standard, regulated in England by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Why it matters when checking a claim

  • Not the same as affordable rent. Affordable rent can be set at up to 80% of local market rent, which is often much higher than social rent. Both are counted as social housing in many statistics.
  • Stock, lettings and new supply are different. The number of social homes, the number let each year and the number newly built are separate series, and losses through sales and demolitions reduce the stock.
  • Rent rises. Claims about social rent increases can be checked against the limit in the rent standard for that year.

See how many social homes are there and right to buy sales.

Also searched as: social housing, council housing, social rent meaning, social rent vs affordable rent, formula rent

Official definitions: Regulator of Social Housing and MHCLG: Rent standard and guidance · MHCLG: Social housing lettings

Questions that use this term

Related terms

  • Affordable rent: A type of social housing in England where rent can be set at up to 80% of the local market rent, including service charges.
  • Affordable housing: In English planning policy, a defined set of tenures for people whose needs are not met by the market, including social rent, affordable rent and some low-cost home ownership.
  • Temporary accommodation: Housing that councils provide to homeless households while they wait for a settled home, such as hostels, bed and breakfasts or leased flats.

More housing, energy and the environment terms: Affordable housing · Affordable rent · Temporary accommodation · Main housing duty · Net additional dwellings · Housing starts and completions · Net zero · Carbon budget · Territorial and consumption emissions · Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) · Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE).