DENBIGHSHIRE Council’s cabinet agreed upon a rent increase of 2.7% for its social housing stock – the maximum allowed by Welsh Government.
During a cabinet meeting at the council’s Ruthin County Hall HQ, members agreed the rise, which will mean the average weekly rent for council houses in the county will be £112.29.
The new rent will come into effect on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Despite the increase, Denbighshire County Council argue the rent will still be affordable to its tenants. The housing officers’ report summarises: “In making this recommendation we are able to clearly evidence that our rents remain affordable and any increase will help us invest back into our homes and communities to benefit all our tenants and their households.”
Despite the rise, the report says 75% of households are in receipt of welfare benefit and housing costs support; therefore, the increase in rent is covered by this support.
The council has also vowed not to evict tenants who can’t pay.
The report states: “We are committed to the requirement that there will be no evictions due to financial hardship where there is engagement.”
Head of housing Liz Grieve said: “We are working really closely with our homeless prevention team on this.
“We work with our tenants throughout the year, and we are keen to pick up any issues very early on so arrears don’t become unaffordable going forward.”
She added: “Tenants are 99.9% of the time happy to talk to us and come for help and advice.
“Sometimes people bury their heads in the sand, and we have no choice but to play hardball with them.
“But those are the exceptions, and we haven’t had any evictions where people have engaged with us.”
Cllr Ellen Heaton proposed councillors backed the recommendation. This was seconded by Cllr Alan James, and the vote in favour of the rise was unanimous.
Last year Denbighshire increased council tax by 9.34% whilst cutting frontline services, with cost pressures for next year forecasted in November between £12m and £26m.
