Rent increase will allow investment in council houses

Fife Council has agreed a rent increase of 6% for council houses from April 2025, adding £5.19 a week to the average rent cost.

The same increase will apply to service charges, garages, lockups, and temporary accommodation. The increase will mean Fife Council's average weekly rent will be £91.72 going forward.

Councillor Judy Hamilton, spokesperson for Housing, said any increase in the current financial climate was a difficult one to make but that it was an essential move to support Fife's under-pressure housing services.

"Good quality housing is absolutely fundamental—never more so than during a housing emergency. People deserve warm, safe homes that are affordable, especially those on the lowest incomes. We have a duty to ensure no one is left behind, and that every tenant in Fife can live with dignity and security."

Tenants assessed the affordability of any increase and provided feedback on rent increases and on their priorities: to continue to make home improvements; build new council houses, and create more energy efficient housing.

Added Cllr Hamilton: "Any rent increase must be set at a level that ensures we can deliver these priorities while protecting essential services. A 6% rent increase is necessary to maintain stability and sustain investment.

"The Fife Living Rent makes sure our rent levels remain below the local authority average, below housing association rents, and significantly below private market rents. To further support tenants, we are also introducing a £1.3 million Tenant Support Fund which will directly help the 28% of tenants who receive no housing benefit or Universal Credit support. It also is available to address fuel poverty so no tenant should have to choose between heating and eating."

The council also agreed:

• investment of £210.739m over the next four years 2025-29 to help maintain existing council housing across Fife
• investment of £239.412m to extend the Affordable Housing Programme to March 2029 and the additional borrowing required to support this
• investment of £4.810m to extend a programme to purchase more council housing to March 2026 and the additional borrowing required to support this

The rent increase is supported by a Tenant Support fund and this can be accessed to support tenants who paying full rent, who may not be able to access any Housing Benefit.

If you have any difficulties in paying your rent, housing officers are on hand. Call 03451 55 00 44 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. They can talk you through the various options available, including how you could get financial support to help pay your bills. More advice is also available online at www.fife.gov.uk/rent