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Highland Council housing rents seeing biggest hike in years

The local authority said increased costs have forced them to impose a 7.95% rise

Members of Highland Council's housing committee agreed a 4% rent increase. Image: Jason Hedges
Members of Highland Council's housing committee agreed a 4% rent increase. Image: Jason Hedges

Highland Council is hiking up rents by 7.95% for people living in council houses.

For the average tenant, that will mean their rent will jump from £83.17 per week to £89.85 per week in 2024.

The increase of around £6.68 per week is being described as the biggest in years as the local authority grapples with higher costs.

Housing and Property committee chairwoman, Councillor Glynis Sinclair said in a statement: “The committee was faced with a very difficult set of circumstances in considering council house rents for next year.

Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Sinclair said council was dealing “with a very difficult set of circumstances.”  Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

“Members carefully considered the affordability impacts for individuals when setting rents for 2024/25 and balanced that against the impact of cost inflation, loan borrowing charges and the continuing need to fund future investment in council housing.”

Last year, the council faced a £49 million budget gap.

7.95% rent increase biggest in years

The Scottish Government implemented rules that capped rent increases for private landlords to 3% are still in place in Scotland. The government is lifting those on April 1.

Highland Council is applying the increase to all types of council-run housing. This includes Gypsy/Traveller site pitches.

Councillor Sinclair added: “We have listened to feedback from our tenants and feel that the 7.95% increase agreed is necessary in order to deliver services to tenants and invest in our housing stock.”

Last year, the council approved a 4% increase in rents. That costs the average council tenant an extra £3.20 per week. Council warned at the time that the below-inflation increase would mean some repairs to units would be delayed.

Back in 2022, the council upped rents by 1%, adding 79p to the average cost of £79.25.

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