Councillors approve three per cent rise for Highland Council rents

Members of Highland Council's housing and property committee have approved a three per cent rise for council house rents this year.

Council officers said the rise would generate just short of £2.4 million in extra funds when applied to almost 14,000 properties across the region, including Gypsy and Traveller site pitches.

A report prepared for today's meeting said that, over the last five years, council rents for Highland have been increasing at a much lower rate than either nationally or as compared to social housing organisations in the region.

Council officer David Goldie told councillors: "We need this council rent increase to continue to deliver the services we have become accustomed to."

The rent rise remains a proposal at this stage.

It will go on to be debated at full council as part of this year's budget discussions.

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