Council house rent increase contained to 1.3%

13th January 2010

The Highland Council's Housing and Social Work Committee has recommended that the increase in council house rents for 2010-11 should be contained to 1.3% - an average weekly increase of 83p.

The proposed increase, to be approved by The Highland Council on 11 February, would see the average council house rent increasing from £63.92 per week to £64.75 per week (over 48 weekly charges).

The increase of 1.3% would also apply to hostel rents, garage and garage site rents, service charges, sheltered housing warden charges, homeless charges, gypsy/traveller pitches.

The Committee noted that while the council has the second highest rents in Scotland, two-thirds of tenants (13,700) are on full or partial benefit. Housing Benefit will cover the whole of any rent increase where tenants are fully entitled to full benefit.

The Council will continue to support and encourage tenants to claim housing benefit.