Falkirk council rents set to rise in April with steeper increases recommended for future years

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Rents for council tenants in Falkirk will rise in April, but councillors are being warned that a small increase may not be enough to cover costs.

While it is unlikely for rents to rise more than two per cent this year, councillors are being told that a four per cent increase for the next four years will be needed to keep up with costs.Falkirk Council meets on Thursday to discuss future plans for housing across the district including spending £40 million on housing repairs and improvements, including re-roofing and rough casting as well as long-awaited new heating systems for tenants in off-gas areas. Read more: Falkirk councillor says women should not get preferential treatment for new Freeport jobs Tenants are expecting a two per cent increase as this is the final year of a three-year agreement with them following a consultation.There are also increasing signs that many people are already struggling, with rent arrears increasing as the cost of living continues to rise.A report to councillors highlights that a two per cent increase would mean an average increase of £1.47 taking the average weekly rent to £74.82.Members are also reminded that more than half of all council tenants get housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, which means those on the lowest incomes will be fully protected from any increase.However, all of the council's spending on housing must be self-financing through its rents and there are fears that a low increase will have an impact on the council's ability to invest and also to build or buy-back council housing that is desperately needed locally.The report warns: "If rent levels are not kept at four per cent in the short term, it is likely that the proposed housing investment