Quick guide: housing debt

Borrowing rates set for councils to buy freedom

The rates of interest councils must pay on the loans they use to buy their way out of the housing revenue account subsidy system have been set.

Councillors doubt HRA reform will boost building

Local authority leaders have questioned whether the dismantling of the housing revenue account subsidy system will allow councils to start building large numbers of homes.

The finance frontier

On 28 March local authorities will boldly go where they have never been before as a new era of self-financing dawns. Keith Cooper finds out if they are ready for their journey into the unknown.

Tenants face 8 per cent rent hike

Just four of England’s 50 largest social landlords are planning to protect tenants from significant rent increases next year.

Timing is everything

Bank on a big change

Housing revenue account reform means for the first time councils can decide how much to borrow, but they must be on the ball if they are to get the best deal, says Rachel Terry

A force for good

Council housing self financing has begun, but what will the new era bring? Steve Partridge examines the possibilities

Up to scratch

Duties around property maintenance have now been enshrined in Scottish law, says Ruth McNaught

Ageing sustainably

By 2020 China will have more than 260 million people over the age of 65. Here, Jess McCabe gets a glimpse at how the country plans to house some of them in a giant, retirement eco-city

Bright ideas

Elderly and disabled people don’t have to live with ugly adaptations to their homes. Katie Puckett finds out about a contest shining a light on good design