The Regulator of Social Housing has determined that Incommunities Limited has violated the Rent Standard in a regulatory notification that was released today (12 July).
RSH discovered that Incommunities had adjusted rents erroneously for hundreds of tenants after receiving a self-referral.
Some of the housing association’s residences were mistakenly categorized as supportive housing.
Additionally, some of its rentals were erroneously set when they were re-let, and some of its residences did not have rent caps that complied with regulations.
These mistakes led to a sizable number of tenants being overcharged.
Following the discovery of these problems, Incommunities agreed to work with the regulator to prepare an action plan, pledge to an independent review of its rent-setting practices, and guarantee that any errors are corrected.
The scope of the mistakes and the number of overcharged tenants will be revealed by this work. The provider will pay back the impacted tenants.
Director of Regulatory Operations Maxine Loftus stated:
Tenants were overcharged as a result of Incommunities’ improper rent setting.
To ensure that Incommunities makes things right for both its current and former tenants, we will work with them.
The regulator’s regulatory notice contains more details about our conclusions in this case.