Recommendation 22

It its written submission, Shelter made the case for permanently linking LHA rates to the real cost of renting. It suggested that freezing the LHA rate at a time of record rent increases would trap families in homelessness and 25 Qq 39-40, 42-43 26 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 (footnote 9) 27 C&AG’s Report, para 1.10 28 Q 32 29 Qq 33, 36, 73 14 make it impossible for local authorities to prevent or relieve homelessness by finding private rented homes which people on low incomes can afford.30 Reapit made a similar point, citing its 2023 report which found that almost 70% of property professionals issued Section 21 eviction notices due to rent arrears, highlighting the critical link between the ability of a tenant to pay the rent and the risk of eviction.31