County's social housing rents increase by 1.5%

Denbighshire Housing has increased rents by 1.5 per cent.

It says the change is in accordance with Welsh Government policy for social housing rents and will come into effect from Monday, April 5, with an average weekly rent increase of £1.38.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “The decision was made after careful consideration as we understand the difficult circumstances households have experienced during 2020 and the early part of 2021.

“We had to demonstrate we are using our resources efficiently, that we provide value for money and consider the affordability of our rents before the decision was approved by the Council’s Cabinet. In a survey, 89 per cent of Council tenants said their rent provides value for money, while rents are the lowest on average for social housing landlords in Denbighshire.

“The long-term business plan for how we manage and maintain our £300million worth of housing stock is based on an annual rent increase linked to inflation.

“Denbighshire Housing is investing in our stock for the benefit of our residents and the longer term improvement of our housing stock.  Alongside carefully investing the rents from our tenants we maximise opportunities to leverage in grant funding to support our strategic aims.

“Over the last five years Denbighshire Housing has installed 1,100 new heating systems, 465 new roofs, 325 new windows, 2,550 properties have been painted externally, 125 air source heat pumps have been installed, 775 kitchens and bathrooms have been installed, £2 million has been spent on disabled adaptations and £1.9 million has been invested on estate and neighbourhood improvements including 17 new play areas.

“The housing budget has been calculated to ensure we can deliver our services, the capital investment programme to maintain the quality standard of our homes and develop our new build programme.”

The council has set a target to create 170 new council homes by 2022 under its Corporate Plan with work already under way on 18 two-bedroom and 4 four-bedroom semi-detached houses on land above Tan y Sgubor, Denbigh and four, one-bedroom apartments on the site of the former Bodnant School canteen on Caradoc Road, Prestatyn.

Denbighshire Housing  provides advice for all families who need additional support with household finances.