Newcastle Council Rents Likely to Rise for Housing Investment

Newcastle council house rents will probably go up this April. City leaders will likely approve a 2.7% rent increase next week. The council wants to invest more in housing, and they also need to address repair backlogs. Damp and mold are major concerns too.

The housing regulator found serious problems last month and ordered Newcastle to make improvements quickly. Opposition councillors want a full investigation to find out where the problems came from. The council took back control of housing last summer after Your Homes Newcastle managed the properties.

The rent increase should add £1.5 million to council funds. They plan to use this money to build new homes and improve existing ones, ensuring health and safety standards. The increase is less than in past years, averaging £2.50 extra weekly.

The regulator highlighted over 1,800 overdue repairs, and over 1,000 cases of damp and mold need fixing. Fire safety upgrades are also needed. The council reported itself for failing in 16 areas.

Council housing is getting old and needs investment. Rent increases help build new homes and keep current homes safe. Strict health and safety rules must be met, and fire safety and building safety are essential. Replacing kitchens and bathrooms is also a must as repair costs are rising due to supply issues.

The rent hike will directly affect 6,057 tenants, who pay rent themselves and do not use benefits like Universal Credit.

Councilor Paula Maines spoke about the rent increase, stating it aligns with UK inflation. She stated the council manages budgets carefully to ensure value for renters. Rents for specialist housing will match general rates, and the average weekly social rent increase is £2.50, while affordable rent rises average £3.71 each week.