Council house rents in Stoke-on-Trent are set to go up by an average of £3.16 a week from April.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is looking at a 2.7 per cent rent increase for its 17,000 tenants, in line with government guidance.

The proposed rise is considerably less than the 7.7 hike imposed last year, due to the fall in inflation. Government guidance allows councils to increase rents by a maximum of the CPI measure of inflation in September, plus one per cent.

Council leaders say that the new average rent of £89.06 a week will still be low compared to similar areas of the country. Cabinet members will be asked to support the proposed rent increase at their meeting on Tuesday, with a final decision set to be taken by full council.

According to the cabinet report, if the council imposed an increase of less than 2.7 per cent, it would have to look at reducing services such as day-to-day repairs.

Councillor Alastair Watson, cabinet member for financial sustainability and corporate services (Image supplied).

Councillor Alastair Watson, cabinet member for financial sustainability and corporate services, said: "We recognise the pressures tenants are under due to the rising cost of living and the proposed rent increase, which is in line with government guidance.

"The income raised from rents is ringfenced meaning it will be re-invested back into the housing stock. This enables the day-to-day repairs and means work can continue to maintain, manage, modernise and develop our homes and create a healthier standard of living.

"Council rents in Stoke-on-Trent are still among the lowest in the country in comparison to other local authorities and registered providers."

The 2.7 per cent increase will apply to housing and garage rents, as well as most tenant service charges. Different service charge increases are being proposed at the council's new and remodelled sheltered housing schemes.

The council is also set to continue the £100,000 financial independence fund for another year. The fund is used to make discretionary payments to tenants who are struggling to pay their rent, in order to prevent eviction and homelessness, as well as paying for essential white goods which tenants cannot afford.

Cllr Watson added: "For residents who are finding it especially difficult to manage their finances, we are extending our financial independence fund and are continuing to offer financial MOTs. We can also signpost residents to partner agencies who can support with advice around money and debt, energy, food and health."

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READ MORE: Stoke-on-Trent City Council proposing £7.5m of cuts and 4.99 per cent tax rise

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