Hounslow Council will increase rents on social homes from April by the maximum amount legally allowed. The council’s Cabinet voted unanimously in favour of the proposal at a meeting last Tuesday, 21 January.
Social housing tenants in Hounslow will see their rent increase by 2.7 per cent, the highest increase a social landlord can legally impose. The maximum increase a council can make is the rate of inflation plus one per cent.
In September 2024, inflation was at 1.7 per cent. Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council Tom Bruce acknowledged that the council could have raised rents by a lesser rate, or not raise them at all.
However, he believes the increase is totally necessary. He said: “This is a choice we have made. We could have implemented lower or no increase, but it would reduce the ability for us to create a good environment for people to live.
“To service our estates, the buildings we own, [it would] reduce the quality of life for those under our care as social landlords. It’s difficult, but it’s the right thing to do.”
Those who live in a one-bedroom council flat currently pay on average £110.45 a week, this will increase to £113.43, amounting to an extra £154.96 each year. For a two-bedroom property, average rent in 2024/25 was £126.99 per week. This will increase to £130.42 per week, an extra £178.36 annually.
Three-bedroom homes currently pay an average of £147.11 per week. This is set to go up to £151.08 per week, which is an increase of £206.44 each year. On average 4+ bedroom homes pay £167.50 per week rent. This will increase to £172.02 per week, an increase of £235.04 per year.
Cllr Sue Sampson, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Homelessness said: “Without [the increase] the council cannot manage and maintain its current stock or invest in new stock. As the cost of managing and maintaining the council’s dwelling stock increases year on it is necessary to increase rents year on year.”
