The survey has collected data from 146 providers on 4,612 affordable rent lettings in the period between September 2011 and March 2012. It estimates that this makes up 78% of all affordable rent lettings made in that period.
It also showed that affordable rents were, on average, 36% higher than social rents for lettings in 2011/12.
The survey is the first set of official statistics on affordable rents data published since the Government introduced the Affordable Rent model in February 2011. The model was introduced to maximise the delivery of new social housing by making use of constrained public subsidy.
Under the model, affordable rented homes are made available to tenants at up to a maximum of 80% of market rent. It allows landlords to offer affordable rent properties on flexible tenancies tailored to meet the needs of individual households.
Between September 2011 and March 2012 only private registered social housing providers PRPs) could deliver affordable rent. Since April 2012 local authorities have also been able to offer affordable rent lettings.
