The National Housing Federation (NHF) has criticised the government for announcing a key change to shared ownership rent-setting “without any prior consultation” with housing associations.

The NHF said the decision will come as a surprise to the sector and it is now asking its members to share how the change might impact their development pipelines and business planning, amid concern in the sector about the potential impact on shared ownership development appetite.

The government earlier this month announced that annual shared ownership rent increases will now be based on the lower consumer price index plus 1%, in line with social rents.