Rent rise for council tenants in Blackpool

The decision was made partly to make up for rent arrears caused by the Covid pandemic.

The council’s executive committee was told rents, which will increase at the start of the next financial year in April, would remain affordable and were mainly covered by housing benefit payments.

It is the second year rents have been increased by Blackpool Coastal Housing, which manages nearly 5,000 properties on behalf of Blackpool Council, following four years of rent reductions,

Coun Neal Brookes, cabinet member for housing, said: “When we moved the policy last year it was predicted even with a one per cent rise each year, by the time we reach 2025 in real terms the rents will only be the same level as they were in 2015.

“We do our best to maintain decent and affordable rent levels in Blackpool, and the vast majority of them will be covered by housing benefit, so we are protecting vulnerable members of the community as well.”

In 2020/21 the average rent charged in Blackpool was £69.25 for general rent properties and £92.91 for affordable rent properties.

The increase of 1.5 per cent includes half a per cent to cover inflation.

A report to the executive said the increase was needed because “there has been a fall in the amount of funding available for potential investment in council housing in Blackpool following four years of nationally determined reductions in rent levels up to 2018/19.

“The proposed increase is in line with the previously agreed investment plan and the national formula.”

It adds total rental income is below forecast “due to the Covid pandemic which has caused significant financial difficulties for some tenants.”

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