West Lothian Council rents set to rise to £89 a week under new budget plans

dailyrecord.co.uk:

West Lothian councillors will be asked to approve a 3.5% rent increase when they meet to discuss the budget next week.The majority of responses to a recent consultation exercise supported the increase which will take the average rent to £89.14 a week, a rise of £3.01 a week, from April, if agreed on Monday morning.Coupled with a proposed council tax increase of 5.8% this means that West Lothian will be at the lower end of rises planned by neighbouring councils.

In East Lothian households are facing a 10% council tax hike and a proposed 6.5% rent rise.In a report to councillors on the Housing Services PDSP, Graeme Struthers the Depute Chief Executive responsible for Housing said: “Rent levels compare favourably with other Scottish councils and RSLs [Registered Social Landlords].“The average weekly rent level in West Lothian for 2024/25 is £86.13 which is slightly above the average rent charged by Scottish Local Authorities of £83.32, but below the average rent charged by local Registered Social Landlords of £103.65.”It added: “If council rents go up by 3.5%, the eligible rent on which the Housing Benefit calculation is based will also go up by 3.5%, so those on full benefit will not suffer further financial detriment.“Approximately 65% of council tenants are in receipt of Universal Credit and/or Housing Benefit and those in receipt of full housing costs would be funded to meet the cost of the rent increase.“The council’s focus on rent arrears from a preventative standpoint should assist those who are negatively impacted by the 3.5% raise as Housing officers continue to work in partnership with the Advice Shop to maximise income and improve budgeting skills.”The consultation, which included all existing tenants as well as