Four per cent rent rise for council tenants

Council tenants in South Lanarkshire will see an increase of almost four per cent in their rents.

A report detailing the council’s housing revenue and capital account budget for 2018/2019 was agreed by members of executive committee and passed by full council.

The council’s housing capital budget will be just under £45 million.

This includes the rent increase of 3.95 per cent to all council houses, travelling person sites, lock-ups and garage sites.

Factoring fees will also be increased from £28.08 per quarter to £28.78 per quarter.

The council is also anticipating £5.6m of arrears which is, in the main, due to the roll-out of the controversial Universal Credit system – the figure is up £2.6m on last year’s budget.

A six-month consultation and engagement process took place to seek the views of tenants on the proposals for the rent levels for 2018/2019, which included three increase options.

A report stated:“In relation to the survey, the majority of tenants indicated a preference for an increase of 3.95 pert cent or higher, and 90 per cent of survey respondents indicated that they felt the rent they pay is good or very good value for money.”

As part of the harmonisation of house rents, in addition to the 3.95 per cent increase in rent , tenants paying below the level will pay up to an additional £2 per week.