Modest council house rent increase approved

17 January 2024

Building new council homes, maintaining the existing housing stock while ensuring that all council homes are greener will be supported by a modest rent increase, the county council has said.

Yesterday (Tuesday, January 16) Powys County Council's Cabinet has agreed to increase council house rent by 6.7%, which equates to an average £6.80 per week.

The rent increase was supported by the council's Tenant Scrutiny Panel, which considered the options available for changes to rents for the 2024/25 financial year.

The increase is necessary to fund the service as well as allow the council to continue with its maintenance investment plans for the existing 5,500 council homes, to support a growing programme of building new council homes while increasing the fuel efficient in council homes which will help reduce fuel poverty, help cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change.

The rent increase will come in from April 2024.

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Leader of Powys County Council, said: "Our growing programme of building new council homes and our maintenance investment plans for our existing council homes will help us build a stronger, fairer, greener Powys.

"This modest rent increase will ensure that we can invest in our housing stock, increase the number of council houses in our communities by building high-quality council homes and ensure all our homes are greener.

"The council would also like to acknowledge the Tenant Scrutiny Panel, who were consulted on the proposals and made a valuable contribution to the decision-making process.

"Council rents in Powys remain amongst the lowest of any landlord working in the county yet offer tenants the most security."

Cabinet also approved new charges for services such as grounds maintenance, communal cleaning, heating, washing lines, tv aerials and fire safety work.

Rent for council garages will also increase of £0.92 per week.