Renting allowance schemes available for staff and officers

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.032069

I note you seek access to the following information:

I was wondering if it would be possible to get info about your schemes available for working policemen!

Have you any schemes that help workers to pay their rent, secure a house/apartment! Or pad housing schemes for ur officers?

I am aware of the help to relocate scheme for your new cadets, but have you anything to offer these to find something after this period?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

All police officers who joined the service before 1 September 1994, are either entitled to receive the payment of a rent/housing allowance or rent free police accommodation. Please see the policy below.

With effect from 1 July 2000, a new allowance - London Allowance 2 - was introduced for police officers appointed on or after 1 September 1994 who did not have an entitlement to rent or housing allowance. The current rate can be found here: Officer promotion

Rent/housing allowance

What is this?
There are four different types of rent/housing allowance which are dependent on when you joined the Met.
• Transitional maximum limit rent allowance
• Transitional flat rate rent allowance
• Standard rate housing allowance
• Half rate housing allowance

You must complete a new rent/housing allowance form every time you change address or have a change of circumstance. Full details of the circumstances are included within the Form 720 rent/housing allowance.

Once you have completed the form email a scanned copy with either your mortgage or council tax statement to [X]@met.police.uk.

Am I eligible?
All police officers who joined the Service before 1 September 1994, are either entitled to receive the payment of a rent/housing allowance or rent free police accommodation.

Compensatory grant

What is this?
A grant paid to all officers who are in receipt of rent allowance. The grant is paid in May each year and is not a set amount. It will depend on your personal income and tax situation so can vary from year to year.

Am I eligible?
All Police Officers in receipt of rent allowance, except those who are not paying income tax.
Rent or housing allowances and London allowance are fixed amounts and are not subject to change with annual increments. The amount payable will be based on your individual circumstances and when you joined the Met.

For further information about this allowance please see Contract management team guide to rent and housing allowance.