Stirling Council announced that rent will increase for council houses by 7.2% over the 48-week rental period for 2025/2026.
The increase will support a £18.4 million investment into housing developments across the Stirling area.
Last year, Stirling Council’s average rent was the second lowest of all local authorities in Scotland.
It is 5 per cent lower than peer local authorities and is 28 per cent lower than other social landlords in the local area.
Council tenants were consulted in November and December 2024 on potential rent increases of 7.2%, 8 per cent or 8.5% and of those who responded, a majority of 61 per centsupported the 7.2% increase.
Per week, the rent will increase by £6.09 on average over the 2025/2026 rental period. This is a rise from £84.61 per week in 2024/2025 to £90.70 per week.
What Will the Money go Towards?
The rise in rent will support a major £18.446 million investment into the housing stock in the Stirling Council area in 2025/2026.
Stirling Council leader, Councellor Gerry McGarvey, stated: “We are committed to reinvesting every penny from rent increases into our housing services, and remain dedicated to improving energy efficiency in our homes.
Not only is that good for the environment, but it also helps reduce the number of tenants living in fuel poverty.”
This investment will contribute to the development of 89 new homes, in addition to a grant of £4.2 million from the Scottish government.
Moreover, about £1.75 million will go towards the installation of 212 new kitchens and around £900,000 to the replacement of 145 bathrooms in council homes.
A further £1.3 million will be invested into a central heating program which will aim to replace outdated boilers and inefficient heating systems.
Aswell as new housing and home improvements, the money will be put towards sustainable changes. £1.75 million will be invested to install up to 170 solar panels and 100 battery storage systems to council houses.
This investment aims to improve the efficiency of council homes and provide better housing for the Stirling Council area.
All tenants will be written to by the Council to be notified by the rent increase for their properties.
For more information, go to the Stirling Council website.
Featured image credits: Stirling Council website.