b'(1)A local housing authority may provide in connection with the provision of housing accommodation by them (whether or not under this Part) such welfare services, that is to say, services for promoting the welfare of the persons for whom the accommodation is so provided, as accord with the needs of those persons. (2)The authority may make reasonable charges for welfare services provided by virtue of this section. This power could be used in conjunction with social services/community care powers Section 12 enables a local housing authority, but only with the consent of the Secretary of State, either solely, or in partnership with someone else, to provide or maintain shops, recreation grounds or other buildings or land which will serve a beneficial purpose in connection with the requirements of occupiers of housing accommodation provided by the authority. Section 24 allows a local housing authority to make such reasonable charges as it may determine for the tenancy or occupation of its houses. The section puts the authority under an obligation to review rents and make such changes, either to rents generally or of particular rents, as circumstances may require from time to time. Rental income from council houses is a major source of local authority income and the principles of rent-fixing in practice are beyond the scope of this guide. However, the Encyclopedia of Housing, Vol I (Sage Publications) contains a useful summary at para 1-0048 of the law on this point. Subsection (5) was inserted by SI 2010/844 and provides the following: (5)In exercising their functions under this section, a local housing authority in England shall have regard in particular to any relevant standards set for them under section 193 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. Sections 45 to 51 (as amended) govern the circumstances in which local housing authorities can make provisions for services charges from those who purchase their house from a public authority. For example, services can be provided to an estate of houses where one of which has been purchased under the right to buy provisions of the Housing Act 1985. A service charge is an amount payable by a purchaser or lessee, directly or indirectly, for the services, repairs, maintenance or insurance, or the vendors or lessors costs of management. Section 47 contains protection for the persons who are the subject of such charges in that there are limitations on the authoritys ability to impose service charges. In particular, relevant costs are only taken into account to the extent that they are reasonably incurred and, when on the provision of services for the carrying out of works, only if the services or works are to a reasonable standard. These provisions should be studied closely by those involved in setting such services charges. Sections 179 and 180 of the Housing Act 1996 relates to the local housing authoritys duties in relations homeless. 179 Duty of local housing authority to provide advisory services (1)Every local housing authority shall secure that advice and information about homelessness, and the prevention of homelessness, is available free of charge to any person in their district. 133'