In recognition of the cost-of-living crisis, Scotland’s Council Leaders, as providers of social housing and Gypsy/Traveller pitch or site provision, have committed to keeping the rental and fee increases to an average of less than £5 a week across the country in the next financial year.

Commenting today (Wednesday) COSLA’s Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Councillor Maureen Chalmers said: “This is good news for Local Authority tenants from Scotland’s Council Leaders today.

“Council Leaders recognise the severe financial crisis many of our tenants and households are facing and have acted decisively to provide some assurance,despite the financial challenges Scotland’s Councils face.

“Leaders recognise that the very high rates of inflation around the costs of heating and food disproportionately affect those on lower incomes and are acutely aware of the proportion of individuals’ income that is spent on accommodation in the rented sector and that this can vary considerably.

“In balancing the wide range of competing factors, Leaders with housing stock will seek to reach agreement with tenants over any increase in rents for the year 2023 – 24.  Councils consultative arrangements would normally allow them, subject to approval of local governance structures, to raise rents annually to meet rising costs.  During these difficult times, as providers of social housing and Gypsy/Traveller pitch or site provision, we intend to keep the rental and fee increases to an average of less than £5 a week across the country.

“Collectively, whether we are directly landlords or not, we urge all landlords setting rents in 2023-24 to adopt a similar consultative approach with their tenants, many of whom will be affected by the on-going crisis.”