The terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement sets out the council's responsibilities and your responsibilities for paying your rent.

A copy of the terms and conditions will be handed to you when you sign your tenancy agreement.

Brent Council is responsible for setting the level of your rent. Your rent is based on the value of your home, average income for the area, government guidelines and also the council's overall budget.

All council homes managed by Brent Housing Partnership have been given a value which is based on the amount it would have cost to purchase the property in January 1999.

The higher the value of your property the higher the amount of rent you will pay.

As well as the 'net rent', the rent which you pay may include service charges e.g. grounds maintenance and cleaning.

Tenants on low incomes can obtain housing benefit for their net rent and certain service charges.

Other items which may be added to your rent, but do not attract housing benefit, include:

• a heating charge providing you have a council-supplied heating system in your property. These systems usually provide hot water and heating
• water charges. These pay for the supply of water and the council collects them on behalf of your local water company
• voluntary charges e.g. insurance and garage rental.