Highland council house rents to rise by one per cent
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Council leaders say the small rise recognises financial pressures currently faced by tenants.
Members of Highland Council’s housing and property committee have approved a one per cent in council house rents for 2022/23.
It was agreed that the below inflation rise will be applied to all residential rents and service charges and to Gypsy/Traveller site pitches.
The report agreed by members at today’s meeting said the rise would generate sufficient income to fund council house management and maintenance in 2022/23.
Vice chairman of the housing committee, Councillor Mike Finlayson, said: “We recognise that many tenants are going to be facing higher costs of living and energy bills in the coming year.
“We listened to the responses we received through consultation on rent levels. This small rent increase in 2022/23 will allow us to maintain current levels of service whist minimising the financial impact on council tenants.”
Tenant consultation was based on options of a one per cent or1.5 per cent rent increase.
Sixty three per cent of those who responded said that they would prefer to see the one per cent rent increase option, with 37 per cent preferring a 1.5 per cent increase.
Cllr Finlayson added: “The consultation information highlighted that a one per cent rent increase would result in maintaining services and completing agreed capital works and I am pleased that is the option which has been agreed today.
“Feedback from tenants also indicated support for prioritising capital and cyclical maintenance and for increasing consultation with tenants on priorities for future investment in their homes.”
Council leader Cllr Margaret Davidson said: “I am proud of the work done by our officers and the decision today to keep our rent rise this year to one per cent.
“This is the smallest rent increase I have seen for many years and it is a reflection on the very real pressures on household budgets this year and our hope to keep prices down as much as we can.”
She added: “We have excellent welfare services (0800 090 1004) and along with a minimum rent increase we hope to help out as many tenants as possible.”
A council tenant satisfaction survey, reported to committee in September last year showed that 89.9 per cent of tenants who responded stated that they considered their rent represented good value for money, compared to a national average of 84.1 per cent.
