Moray Council approves budget for housing services, with local authority tenants to pay 3.5 per cent more rent
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MORAY Council tenants will pay 3.5 per cent more rent in 2023/24.
The local authority approved a £22.8 million budget for housing services at Wednesday's budget meeting.
A 3.5 per cent increase in rent for council tenants was agreed at the meeting, on the back of consultations with tenants in recent months.
Tenants were given the option of a 3.5 per cent increase or 5 per cent, both of which are below the rate of inflation, with more than 80 per cent of tenants who responded opting for the former.
Moray Council remains the lowest charging local authority landlord in Scotland, despite the rise.
Council leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative), said that a higher increase will come in future years after successive minimum rent rises.
“Given the housing budget is effectively separate from the wider council budget, we must ensure a balanced Housing Revenue Account," she said.
"The level of income generated directly influences what we can fund when it comes to new builds, repairs and support to tenants.
“A 3.5 per cent increase in rent is significant, particularly in light of the increased cost of living in all areas of life right now.
"However, we must also caution that, as this is the second year in a row the minimum increase has been chosen, a higher increase in future years is inevitable."
Elsewhere, the two-yearly garage rents are to increase by 8.5 per cent; alongside grass cutting charges increasing by 3.5 per cent.
The sheltered housing budget increases to £0.063m; and repairs and maintenance spending increases to £10.696m to account for increased labour and materials costs.
Elected members have also allocated almost £56m to new builds over the coming three years.
Continuation of work to ensure electrical standards are met and a £7.435m programme of energy efficiency and insulation work are included.
Chair of the housing and community safety committee, councillor Amber Dunbar (Conservative, Elgin City North), added: “Despite increases to costs of delivery we are mindful of the need to maintain affordability within our housing offer.
"To have a balanced budget while fulfilling our statutory requirements around energy efficiency, smoke alarm installations, and more is a considerable achievement and I add my thanks to the team for managing this.”
