Council house rents in North Ayrshire have been increased by six per cent, which amounts to an average of almost £5 a week.

The new levels for 2024-25, which come into force on April 1, add £4.97 to the weekly bill of tenants and were agreed at Wednesday’s North Ayrshire Council meeting.

Meanwhile, the council have agreed to deliver more than 1,600 new homes within the next four years.

The rent rise was the lowest and preferred option that tenants were consulted on.

It maintains current service provision, delivers the strategic housing investment plan and ensures continued investment in the council’s housing stock.

There will be planned revenue expenditure of almost £61.7 million and a capital investment programme of £52.8 million for 2024-25.

Through the capital programme, 1,641 new homes will be built by 2028 and there will be a buy back of 65 properties over the next five years. 

These moves ensure major improvements to existing homes, including reroofing, solar pv installation, insulated rendering, electrical rewiring, installation of new kitchens, heating system upgrades, installation of new bathrooms and replacement of windows.

The proposed capital investment plan maintains the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and includes £132,45m investment towards the future needs of the Scottish Housing Net Zero Standard in Scotland which is out for consultation.

North Ayrshire's average rent level, at £82.77 per week, is £2 lower than the Scottish average.

Support for housing costs is available to households with lower incomes through Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.

Just before the consultation starting last November, 45 per cent of tenants received full benefit entitlement for housing costs, 16 per cent were in receipt of partial benefit entitlement an therefore paid some rent and 39 per cent  of tenants had  no benefit entitlement and were therefore due to pay full rent.

Councillor Tony Gurney said: “First and foremost, I want to thank all the tenants who took the time to respond to our rent survey. 

“With more than 1,300 tenants taking part, it is the largest response we’ve ever received.

“They indicated a clear preference for the first option which represents an average rise of £4.97 per week and that has been agreed by a meeting of elected members at full council.

“We recognise that everyone is still feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and our housing team are going to great lengths to ensure that every penny represents value for money.

“It’s important to recognise that the money raised through our rents goes back into our housing supply, whether that’s through the improvements to existing homes or to support our ambitious council house building programme.”

Elected members also agreed a rent increase of six per cent in 2024-25 for garage sites, lock-ups and gypsy traveller site fees, and an increase of five per cent for service charges.

While the final national rent figures for 2023-2024 are not available, the published indicative figures show that the average weekly rent for North Ayrshire remains lower than the Scottish average.

Support with housing costs is available to households with lower incomes through Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. 

Tenants who are experiencing difficulties in paying their rent should contact North Ayrshire Council’s welfare reform advice team, which can provide vital advice and support to access benefits to which tenants are entitled.

They can be contacted at welfarereformteam@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or 0300 999 4606.