Council house tenants in Wiltshire face rent increases
Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet agreed last week to recommend to Full Council that rents for its tenants should increase by 4.8 per cent
Council house tenants in Wiltshire are set to have their rent increased by nearly five per cent in April.
Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet agreed last week to recommend to Full Council that rents for its tenants should increase by 4.8 per cent.
It means the average social rent for the year will be £116.68 per week.
The council acknowledges that the increase outpaces the rise in National Minimum Wage of 4.1 per cent, but says that nearly two-thirds of its tenants receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, which should mitigate against the increase – although those not on benefits will face a “greater challenge.”
It says not applying the rent increase would lead to an immediate £1.5 million shortfall.
Wiltshire Council has around 5,400 properties. The revenue raised by rents is ring-fenced, to be used on housing repairs and improvements.
The council, the meeting heard, faces increased costs, including those arising from the introduction of Awaab’s Law.
The law was brought in following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, which was attributed to respiratory illness caused by black mould and poor ventilation at his Rochdale housing authority flat.
It means social landlords – including councils – must fix emergency hazards within 24 hours, and inspect and fix significant damp and mould issues within 10 working days.
The government has awarded Wiltshire Council just £17,000 to contribute towards the cost of this additional burden.
Elsewhere, the council has had to increase its refurbishment budget from £15 million to £18 million, and continue its work to make its housing stock more energy efficient – which should reduce bills for tenants.
The council is also having to carry out a £200,000 survey of properties with concrete balconies to make sure they are safe.
Also going up in price will be the rent paid on garages owned by the council, and sheltered housing service charges at council-run care homes.
Each year, local authorities have to set rent levels for tenants and leaseholders, and these rents can only be increased in line with government policy that allows councils in England to raise their rents by up to 4.8 per cent for 2026/27.
This is based on the Consumer Price Index rising by 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to September 2024, with the ability to add one per cent on top.