Community Benefit Rent Reduction

The council has premises that it rents to voluntary and community organisations. These premises are described as the Community Premises Portfolio. Organisations rent these premises to provide services to local people. 

The council has a scheme to give rent reduction of up to 80 per cent to organisations that meet its requirements. Organisations that do not meet all the requirements may still get 40 or 20 per cent rent reduction. The scheme is called Community Benefit Rent Reduction (CBRR).

To be eligible for CBRR, an organisation must:

1. Occupy premises listed in the council’s ‘Community Premises Portfolio’ with a lease of three to five years
2. Be community led
3. Show good governance
4. Embrace diversity, work to improve community cohesion and reduce inequality
5. Be capable of managing a building
6. Be willing to share space, and
7. Show how their activities contribute to the Tower Hamlets Plan outcomes.

Full details of the CBRR scheme are set out in the VCS premises policy.

The value of the CBRR may exceed £20,000 per annum. Where this happens, the council’s assessment includes a Social Value Self-Assessment Tool. You can find the guidance here Social Value UK Self Assessment Tools.

Please email vcs@towerhamlets.gov.uk for an application form, advice and further information