The rent allowance scheme to which the Deputy refers was introduced in July 1982 to provide assistance to tenants who would otherwise experience hardship as a result of the ending of rent control in that year. Rent allowance is payable, subject to a means test, to a person who is entitled to retain possession as a tenant of a dwelling which had been subject to rent control prior to 26 July 1982. Certain conditions relating to the terms of tenancy have also to be satisfied.
A rent tribunal, established in 1983, has power to fix the level of rent and other terms of tenancy in respect of dwellings which had formerly been the subject of rent control. Landlords are entitled to apply to the rent tribunal for a review of rent every five years. The increases in rent to which the Deputy refers arise in the context of such reviews. Where an increase in rent is approved by the tribunal, those tenants who are affected are entitled to claim an increase in the amount of rent allowance payable. There are 1,042 rent allowance claims in payment at present, 197 of which have been affected by rent reviews to date. The average weekly payment to recipients of the rent allowance is £15.43.