February 26, 2014 5.10 pm This story is over 120 months old

Lincoln council house rents increase by 4.67%

Council rents rise: Lincoln councillors agreed on a 4.24% council house rent increase from April, the equivalent of £2.80 per week.

City of Lincoln councillors agreed on a 4.67% council house rent increase from April 7, 2014 – the equivalent of £3.07 per week.

Councillors voted for the proposal at a meeting on February 25 and agreed on the 4.67% rise, back-tracking on the initial proposal of 4.24%.

The rise in rent was proposed in line with the government’s rent convergence policy and social rent guidelines for 2014/2015.

Annual changes in social rent levels are also based on a policy set by government under which rents are expected to rise by the Retail Price Index (RPI).

Individual rent increases will vary according to each property and whether the actual rent is currently at, below or above the target “formula rent”, which takes into account RPI.

The City Council say the increase is required to ensure a sustainable long term business plan for the housing revenue account.

Additionally, garage rents are set to increase by around 27p per week.

Denis Powell, Housing Support Services Manager at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “The average rent increase will be £3.07 a week.

“All tenants may claim housing benefit and housing officers will advise individual tenants who may be struggling to pay their rent.

“Tenants already in receipt of benefit should not be affected by this change but there may be other tenants who haven’t qualified for benefits previously who may now be eligible.

“In addition to housing benefit, tenants can also apply for Discretionary Housing Payments to help with housing costs.”

For more information, you can email the City Council, call the city council on 01522 873355 or speak to an advisor at City Hall.