Seven per cent rent increase for North Lanarkshire Council tenants

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Council tenants in North Lanarkshire will have to pay an extra seven per cent in rent as an increase has been voted through.

Housing convener Michael McPake proposed the hike at 2023’s final council meeting, citing increased costs. He said that the council would have had to impose an even larger 11 per cent increase were it not for its efficient financial management.He said: “I am proud to propose a budget that increases rent and other charges by seven per cent to generate an additional £10.6 million.

This will support ongoing record capital investment and continuation of high quality services valued by our tenants.”The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Councillor McPake said the increase would also be used in the council’s rent assistance fund to prevent homelessness and support ongoing efforts to build new homes.He contrasted this to the Scottish Government’s recent announcement that it would cut affordable housing funding by 37 per cent, which he said could only worsen the ongoing housing crisis,SNP group leader Tracy Carragher expressed concern that this decision had been raised with very little notice, in the form of an amendment to an agenda item previously marked for noting, and asked for it to be delayed.She said: “I am genuinely concerned that an item of such consideration has been put on us