mean extended periods of under-recovered rent and lost income that is difficult to recover later.
With the sector under increasing regulatory and public scrutiny, RPs cannot afford to carry unaddressed errors. We regularly identify historic overcharges caused by incorrect application of annual rental uplifts, often requiring repayment, and inconsistent use of rent caps. Within affordable rent portfolios, we see misapplication of internal rent policies and in shared ownership properties we see rent increases that do not align with the requirements set out in the leases. Service charges continue to be one of the most frequent sources of tenant complaints, misallocations of costs, compliance breaches and refund liabilities. HOW ALTAIR CAN HELP YOU We support RPs and Local Authorities with rent and service charge reviews, taking a data-led approach. Our work typically includes a full assessment of rent-setting models and comparing the outputs with those generated from our model, which has been developed and updated throughout the lifetime of the Government’s formula / target rents regime. It is a fully validated model widely used across the RP sector, providing a reliable foundation for accurate rent-setting. Our model allows us to identify overcharges and carry out complex refund calculations. We also assist organisations with service charges, reviewing the end-to-end processes for setting charges and providing clear advice on budgeting to ensure all costs are accurately captured, allocated, and apportioned across different schemes. Our reviews provide Boards with assurance that rents and service charges are being set accurately, consistently, and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. Stability is welcome, but RPs need to have an eye on the future. Rent settlements may provide certainty, but as recent history shows, external pressures and policy changes can reshape the landscape overnight. Providers who adapt will be best placed to protect their financial resilience and deliver on their mission.
If this is something that we can assist you with, please get in touch with:
Mihir Shah
Jim Lashmar
jim.lashmar@altairltd.co.uk 07968 616550
mihir.shah@altairltd.co.uk 07799 641384
APRIL 2026 | ISSUE #2
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