Council housing tenants set for 7.7% rent rise

The rent increase would go towards improving housing, councillors heard

Council housing tenants in part of Staffordshire are set to see their rent rise by more than 7% from April.

The 7.7% increase would affect 5,041 homes in the district but Cannock Chase District Council claimed its average rent was lower than most social landlords in the area.

The proposed increase was in line with September's Consumer Price Index rate of inflation, plus 1%.

The income was set to be used to improve housing for tenants, councillors heard at a recent meeting.

“We have a lot of work to do on our housing stock," said council leader Tony Johnson.

"The money is there to be invested in our housing stock and that is what we will be doing.”

A report to the cabinet meeting where the rent setting policy for 2024 was agreed said rental income from council properties was "essential in supporting a wide range of housing services".

It paid for the management, maintenance and improvement of council houses, it stated, and maximising rental income was "key to continuing to provide high quality housing and related services".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.