HOUSING: Council house rent to increase by almost 8 per cent this year
The average council house rent in Highland will increase from £83.17 per week to £89.85 per week, Highland Council has announced today.
Members of the Highland Council’s Housing and Property Committee today (31 January 2024) approved a 7.95 per cent increase council house rents for 2024/2025 – an average increase of £6.68 per week (around £25 per month).
It was also agreed that the same percentage increase will be applied to all other housing revenue account rents and service charges and to gypsy/traveller site pitches.
The committee also agreed to increased what is called the supplemental service charge to tenants moving into new build housing to £15 from the current starting level of £11.84 per week – a 21 per cent rise.
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A Highland council spokesperson said this reflects the increased costs of delivering housing services to Council tenants.
They stated that rents still remain below average Council house rents and significantly lower than average housing association rents elsewhere in Scotland.
Housing and Property Committee Chair, councillor Glynis Sinclair said: “The Committee was faced with a very difficult set of circumstances in considering Council house rents for next year. Members carefully considered the affordability impacts for individuals when setting rents for 2024/25 and balanced that against the impact of cost inflation, loan borrowing charges and the continuing need to fund future investment in Council housing.
“We have listened to feedback from our tenants and feel that the 7.95 per cent increase agreed is necessary in order to deliver services to tenants and invest in our housing stock.”
