Cheshire West and Chester Council will discuss a proposed 4.8% rent increase on council-owned properties next month.

It has been proposed that rent on council-owned properties is to increase by 4.8% from April 2026 - in line with government guidelines of an annual increase, equal to Consumer Price Inflation (CPI), plus 1%.

This means that the average weekly rent of the council's social housing will increase from £102.84 per week, to £107.78 per week.

The average weekly rent of the council's affordable housing (charged at up to 80% of market rent) will increase from £129.39 per week to £135.60 per week. Tenants will be contacted about their rent by letter.

On Monday 2 February, the council's overview and scrutiny committee will discuss the proposed Housing Management Service budget, and proposed rent increases for tenants of council-owned properties.

The following week, cabinet will consider approving the proposals for recommendation to a meeting of full council.

"We know that the cost of living is already difficult for lots of people, but a rent increase is necessary to help meet the increased costs facing social housing across the country," said Cllr Christine Warner.

"Maintaining and improving the homes and neighbourhoods of tenants is critical.

"We have a duty to ensure they have good quality and affordable homes which achieve the Decent Homes Standard, reducing fuel costs through retrofit energy works and improving the neighbourhoods in which they live, is vital to peoples' wellbeing."

Acknowledging the difficulty for tenants, Cheshire West and Chester Council has cited the proposed increases as "critical" in meeting the needs of council tenants and "continuing to invest in their homes and neighbourhoods".

Council tenants' rents are ring-fenced to pay for all services, repairs, maintenance and improvements to council homes.

The increase will also ensure that there is sufficient funding to meet increased landlord responsibilities as part of the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Regulations 2022 and the Social Housing (Regulations) Act 2023.

The council has also stated that increased rent will help address incidences of damp and mould - therefore meeting the requirements set out in Awaab's Law.

Effective from October 2025, Awaab's Law mandates all social landlords in England to address housing hazards like damp and mould within strict timeframes.

There will also be an increase to the landlord's management charge for leaseholders of 0.94%, reflecting increased costs to the council due to inflation. There will also be an increase in shared ownership lease rents of 4.3%.

Support from Cheshire West and Chester Council and ForHousing is available to help and support tenants financially.

The council can help with advice on benefits, assistance with council tax, household support funds, free school meals, assistance with fuel and water, and more.

The Council owns 5,253 homes in the borough, predominantly in the areas of Ellesmere Port, Neston and Winsford. Since 2017, a total of £41 million has been spent on improving Council housing.

The Council has maintained investment in the housing stock throughout 2025-26 by delivering an investment programme of around £9 million installing new replacement roofs, new kitchens, and bathrooms, fitting new full and partial central heating systems and boilers, upgrading UPVC windows and doors with double glazed units.

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