Public sector rent to see biggest rise in a decade

Rent payments for those living in social housing on the Isle of Man is to rise by 7.5% from April, the Department of Infrastructure has said.

It comes after consultation with each of the island's 15 housing authorities.

The rises range from between an extra £5.18 a week for a one bedroom flat to £10.76 more for a four bedroom house.

It is the biggest rise implemented by the department in more than a decade.

It follows on from a 5% rise in 2023, which was the joint highest increase imposed on tenants over the past 10 years.

The increases would also make sure ongoing repair costs to the public sector housing network could be met, the department said.

'Affordability'

People who have their rents met by the Manx government as part of social security benefits will be reassessed to take the new costs into account, it added.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall said the rise would "enable further investment in the 6,200 public sector properties across the island".

He said: "Building materials, fees, labour and other expenses have all increased in price and it’s vital that this is taken into consideration alongside concerns around affordability for tenants."

Anyone struggling to meet the additional cost is urged to contact their housing provider to create a repayment plan.

Advice is also available from the social security division at the Treasury, the department said.